This Thursday evening Scotland will begin their campaign in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden against Michael Probierz’s Poland. It’s the first time since the competition began in 2018 that Scotland have been part of Group A as they topped their previous group B ahead of Ukraine, Ireland, and Armenia. Here at Last Word On Football we predict how Steve Clark will line up in his opening game of the new campaign.
Scotland Predicted Lineup vs Portugal
How Scotland Have Lined Up Recently
It’s three months since Scotland’s rather disastrous Euro 2024 campaign. It will be interesting to see whether there are opportunities for Max Johnston, Ben Doak, Ryan Gauld or Lewis Morgan to shine. Had this been a block of friendlies you would certainly expect so, however, with a meaningful game in the Nations League, you’d expect Clark to go with his tried and tested.
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Throughout the Euro’s, Anthony Ralston, Ryan Porteous, Jack Hendry, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson mostly featured at the back. In Midfield Callum McGregor, John McGinn and Scott McTominay were main stays with Ryan Christie and Billy Gilmour sharing minutes. Meanwhile, Che Adams led the line alone with little look-in for Lawrence Shankland.
Scotland’s Recent Form and Tactics
Form-wise, it’s been pretty horrendous for Scotland. Since winning away to Cyprus a year ago, they have won just one of their last twelve fixtures. Admittedly there has been quality opposition such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain and England. Equally though, they have failed to beat the likes of Hungary, Finland and Georgia plus lost at home against Northern Ireland.
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Yet, the area the Scotland coach has suffered the most criticism for is his tactics. The former Kilmarnock manager played a 5-4-1 system throughout the Euros. Although the midfield four consisted of a double pivot and two attacking midfielders in front. Essentially, it creates a box shape. Had Lyndon Dykes been fit, he may have played a 5-3-2 however, he seemed to lack trust in Lawrence Shankland to play in a front two.
It’s a really strange formation to play, it must be said. It leaves you with little width and forces you to play everything through the middle. With Scotland’s squad profile, this isn’t ideal. You would need incredibly skilful players in the final third to carve out openings, they don’t have that. McTominay thrives on balls across the face of the box, yet at the Euros, there was rarely anyone in that position.
What we saw against Hungary was a Scotland side capable of rotating possession continuously, but they didn’t have the craft in the midfield to break through the stubborn Hungary defence.
It’s a system that was introduced to allow Robertson and Tierney to play together, but the latter’s continuous injury worries leave it all looking rather pointless to persist with it now.
With the profile of players Scotland have they could easily play a 4-4-2, or a 4-3-3. Before McGregor retired from International duty the option to play a 4-2-3-1 was there. Of all the possible systems truthfully, a 5-box-1 seemed the worst.
Scotland Injuries to Consider
This is the first international window where McGregor won’t be part of the Scotland squad after announcing his retirement from the international game. From the Euros, there are other absentees. Ryan Jack, Liam Cooper, Liam Kelly and Stuart Armstrong have been dropped.
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A range of key players remain out injured. Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson and Hendry won’t make the squad.
Adams has pulled out of the squad although at this moment it isn’t clear why. The Torino striker is fully fit. It’s first call-ups for Liverpool’s Ben Doak and Vancouver Whitecaps Ryan Gauld as they look to make an impression on the Tartan Army.
Scotland Predicted Lineup
Despite the flaws of the system, Clark will stick to his guns and Scotland will line up as a 5-4-1. There will be little change from the Euro 2024 disaster showing except McTominay will play deeper to form a partnership with his new Napoli teammate Gilmour.
- Angus Gunn
- Anthony Ralston
- Ryan Porteous
- John Souttar
- Grant Hanley
- Andy Robertson
- Billy Gilmour
- Scott Mctomminay
- Ryan Christie
- John McGinn
- Lyndon Dykes
