KRIS BOYD reckons there’s a big tactical call Steve Clarke should be looking to make in tomorrow’s win or bust World Cup qualifier.
Scotland take on Denmark at Hampden knowing a victory will punch a ticket to next year’s finals in North America.
Clarke has led Scotland to back-to-back Euros, ending years of hurt in the process.
But while we’ve been back on the big stage, we haven’t been on the global stage since 1998.
When it all kicks off in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year, it’ll be 28 years since the Scots last appeared at the World Cup.
A win over the Danes in Glasgow tomorrow night would ensure that long, long wait doesn’t go on any further.
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Despite Saturday’s 3-2 defeat in Greece, the chance to get there automatically is still very much alive.
That’s after Denmark were held to a shock 2-2 draw by the minnows of Belarus.
A lucky escape for Clarke and his players and one they must now look to take full advantage of tomorrow night.
Only a win will do and the omens are good.
Scotland beat Denmark in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden four years ago and just like tonight, it was a night when only a win would do.
This time, the prize on offer is so much bigger.
Che Adams led the line and scored for Scotland that night in November 2021.
He was once again tasked with being the sole frontman on Saturday in Athens, but spurned several great chances that could’ve nicked at least a point.
So what does Clarke do?
Well, former Scotland striker Kris Boyd reckons the previous meeting with the Danes in Copenhagen could hold the key.
Clarke’s men bravely battled to a 0-0 draw in their opening qualifier, a point that has proved more and more valuable as the campaign has rumbled on.
That night, Clarke did something he doesn’t usually do.
He played BOTH Adams and fellow striker Lyndon Dykes from the start.
And Boyd reckons Birmingham striker Dykes – a man who has delivered on the big occasion before – should be Clarke’s wild card selection at Hampden tomorrow night.
He reckons the Australian-born frontman brings some much needed physicality at BOTH ends of the pitch.
Appearing on SunSport’s Go Ballistic YouTube show, Boyd was asked if the temptation to play both Dykes and Adams could be there again.
The ex-Rangers star responded: “The Danes are a big team, they’re strong from set plays.
“We know what Lyndon Dykes can bring at the top end of the pitch but also defensively as well.
“That would be one thing that Steve Clarke might take into consideration.
“He might because I don’t look at Scotland think it’s the land of the giants. They are an average team in terms of height.
“It might just be something that he looks at and thinks, you know something, I need physicality.”
Boyd was pressed on whether he would potentially start Dykes INSTEAD of Adams.
Boyd continued: “I can’t see him leaving out any of the rest.
He reckons the success of the setup in Copenhagen in September could mean Clarke would rather play both, but did offer up some other suggestions with regards midfield changes.
“Can be bring McGinn or McTominay back into midfield and take out Christie of Ferguson?
“I agree it’s a big call but I’m just thinking from an attacking sense, we know what Lyndon Dykes brings.
“But also defensively, he is a big boy. He’ll go and win his headers, he brings a little more physicality to the team.
“When you look at Steve Clarke, he’s a creature of habit. He will look at that result in Copenhagen.”
Denmark will likely welcome back their own No9.
Boss Brian Riemer revealed a sickness bug had swept through the camp and meant Rasmus Hojlund was one of the players unavailable to face Belarus.
But the big Napoli striker should be back in action at Hampden and Boyd reckons that should also mean a defensive tweak from Clarke.
Grant Hanley, who’s enjoyed a fine season domestically with Hibs, didn’t have his finest hour in Greece on Saturday.
And Boyd reckons that could see him drop out for Scott McKenna.
Boyd said: “Denmark will come and play a different style. Hojlund has been ill but I think, for me, it was a case of leaving him for Tuesday night and we’ll have enough to get past Belarus – that didn’t work out.
“I imagine he’ll come back into the starting line-up and he is a threat.
“What do Scotland do at centre-back because it wasn’t Grant Hanley’s best performance?
“McKenna will come in for him. They’re going to have to defend a lot better.”
So the big questions, will we do it?
Good fortune alone won’t be enough for Scots to beat Danes
By BILL LECKIE
STEVE CLARKE has ridden his luck through this World Cup campaign — like a triple rollover lottery winner on a golden unicorn.
So many chaotic performances, so many defensive debacles, so many sitters missed.
So many key men falling miles below their own high standards.
So many moments when a nation with nerves like piano wire has watched through splayed fingers.
So many million jaws hitting the carpet on a Saturday night when our dreams of winning this World Cup group were rescued in the most ridiculous way imaginable.
All of it bringing us to where we are this morning, excited as hell about what we pretty much all agreed from the off would be the best-case scenario when the chips were down — a cup final at home to the group favourites Denmark.
So if tomorrow night the fates decide that Scotland’s golden-bawed gaffer deserves one more dollop of gooey jamminess . . . well, that would be super-sweet.
Will we take another mistake-ridden performance where all is forgiven thanks to a winner that goes in off John McGinn’s backside?
You bet his ass we will.
Read Bill Leckie’s column in full here
Boyd reckons it’s now up to the players to show they can meet the expectations.
Crucially, he says they must do all they can to ensure they keep the Tartan Army on side.
He continued: “The fans are turning up and they expect, they want to be at a World Cup.
“Take nothing away from the group that’s given itself an unbelievable chance of getting there.
“You want to get there on Tuesday night, keep the fans on side, start the game really, really well and then hopefully you can get the job done.
“The last thing you want to do is allow the Danes to grow into the game, and then they’re asking questions, the fans are getting frustrated, then that ends up on the pitch.
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“The players end up nervous so I think everybody needs to stick together and hopefully we get that positive result for the country.
“It’s going to take one almighty 90 minutes to do it.”
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