STEVE CLARKE has many things to weigh up ahead of Scotland’s date with destiny against Greece on Saturday night – and he hasn’t been afraid to throw in a curve ball in the past.
The national team boss knows he needs at least a draw in Piraeus to be sure of making Tuesday night’s final match of the section against Denmark into a frantic last day shootout.
That’s no easy feat against a Greek team who have talent in abundance, home advantage and a point to prove even if their hopes of reaching the World Cup are OVER.
He’d love to be able to trot out a settled team in every clash and let the opposition worry about us – but that simply isn’t the case with this Scotland squad.
Clarke was FAR from happy with the way his team performed in their last match against Belarus – even if they came away with two priceless wins to put us the position we are in.
There’s the small matter of a MAJOR goalkeeping conundrum, with Angus Gunn – who came through with some huge saves during this campaign – out injured.
Read More Football Stories
HANDS OFF
Columbus Crew chief warns Celtic Wilfried Nancy already planning for next year
MEGA OFFERS
Rangers & Celtic: Best free bets, bonuses and sign-up offers
That leaves Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Scott Bain – of whom only Bain has been getting regular game time.
Gordon, though, knows all this team well and has proved himself a hugely reliable campaigner on many occasions.
The question marks don’t stop there, though, with THREE Scotland men walking a suspension tightrope in the first match which could cost them their participation in the second.
FIFA rules state that two bookings triggers an automatic one-game ban for players during both the qualifying phase or the World Cup finals next summer if picked up on the final matchday.
Scotland would hate to lose any of key men Aaron Hickey, winger Ben Gannon-Doak and striker Ché Adams for the Denmark clash should a rash tackle crop up against the Greeks.
Everywhere you look there’s dilemmas for Clarke to tackle head on – and here’s SunSport’s predicted team for the clash.
And just for good measure, we’ve thrown in a couple of other potential options he could think about.
Goalkeeper – Craig Gordon
There’s no easy choice here but if it goes on past achievements Gordon has to be a shoe in.
Could certainly provide more of a comfort blanked than Liam Kelly or Scott Bain, both of whom have played less behind this defence.
Defence (r to l) – Aaron Hickey, John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Andy Robertson (c)
Can Aaron Hickey play two games in three days at international level? Who knows, but Scotland have rarely needed him more.
Hickey will need to be extremely disciplined against Greek dangerman Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge but this will be no cakewalk either for the rest of the defence with Vangelis Pavlidis banging the goals in for Benfica and teenage wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas on the left.
There’s a case for adding Scott McKenna into a back three but Clarke may prefer a solid base to his midfield, where experienced Panathinaikos captain Anastasios Bakasetas or the clever Giannis Konstantelias do much of their good work.
Deep-lying midfield – Kenny McLean, Lewis Ferguson
With no Billy Gilmour, Clarke is on the look-out for two reliable operators with enough industry and nous to break up Greek attacks in the ‘No 10’ area and start Scotland on their way.
While there’s no out and out specialists in this Scotland squad, there’s a few candidates for this role, including Ryan Christie – who plays in a hard-working central role with Bournemouth.
But McLean is another Clarke favourite and his inclusion as a ‘sitter’ allied with the industry of Ferguson could give Scotland the base they need to work from.
Attacking midfield – John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie
Clarke’s challenge is finding the right blend to stifle home attacks but still pose a threat at the other end.
McTominay could operate deeper or as a false 9 but attacking midfield is his stock and trade and his runs to join a lone frontman could be crucial.
Christie seems a certain starter and he could provide energy on the flank if Clarke decides that playing Gannon-Doak from the start is too much of a risk.
While Gannon-Doak’s pace and energy could be crucial in getting us up the park, he wasn’t a massive success in October and one booking and the teenager will be out of the Denmark match in a game where Scotland could need a goal to get to the World Cup. Clarke could opt to keep him in reserve.
Striker – Che Adams
Steve Clarke has Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland available too, but Adams seems to Clarke’s go to in these games as he values his ability to stretch a defence by running in behind.
Whatever blend he goes with, the onus will be on Scotland’s midfielders to ensure he’s not isolated.
Plan B – Two up top
As we said up top, Clarke isn’t afraid of throwing in a curve ball – and he has had success with playing two up top in our biggest away game to date, vs Denmark in Copenhagen.
Could he spring the same surprise against the Greeks, with two solid, narrow banks of four and Dykes (or even the pacy Doak) joining Adams up front?
If perhaps one of the bigger weaknesses in this Greek team is dealing with cross balls, and it would certainly give Greek boss Ivan Jovanovic something to think about.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
NET CLOSES IN
Moment Marc Webley’s assassin & accomplice nailed by cops after gangland hit
LOST SOLE
Staff made redundant as Scots shoe shop closes down after 25 years
Plan C – Three at the back
A draw will do for Scotland, so maybe this is the occasion when Clarke reverts to the back three which he favoured so often back at the start of his reign.
Scott McKenna, or Kieran Tierney, could both slip into a role on the left side of a three, allowing Hanley to be the middle man with Souttar on the right.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
