THE elation which Scots around the world felt when Steve Clarke’s side qualified for the Euro 2024 finals with two games to spare last year has suddenly been replaced by a deep sense of foreboding.
The friendly defeats to the Netherlands away and Northern Ireland at home this month extended the national team’s winless run to seven matches – their worst series of results for 19 years.
So what has happened to Andy Robertson and his compatriots since those rousing victories over Cyprus, Spain, Norway and Georgia?
And, perhaps more importantly, how does Clarke get his men back to their best before the opening Group A fixture against tournament hosts Germany in Munich on June 14?
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Here are five things which he must do if Scotland are to reach the knockout rounds of a competition for the first time in their history this summer?
Find a fit and on-form right wing back
Clarke is optimistic that former Hearts and Bologna defender Aaron Hickey will return to training at Brentford in the coming weeks. But he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since way back in October. Is he really going to be ready to board the flight to Germany?
Tony Ralston, who came on in Amsterdam on Friday, has also done well for his country in the past. But he is not getting a game at Celtic this term either. It has become a real problem position for the Scotland manager.
With a bit of luck, one or more of the trio will be featuring regularly come May.
Have a quiet word with McGinn and McTominay
Debate over who should start up front for Scotland – Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes or Lawrence Shankland – has intensified in recent days.
But it is fair to say that none of the three contenders is, no disrespect to any of them, ever going to be a top class international striker in the mould of Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski or Romelu Lukaku.
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Clarke should perhaps look to Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn and Manchester United star Scott McTominay to supply the goals which his side need to record results.
McGinn and McTominay plundered 10 between them in qualifying. But neither player really threatened to add to their international haul this month. Their manager must have a quiet word. He needs them to contribute up front.
Hope Callum McGregor recovers
Midfield is not exactly an area of the pitch where Scotland are short of talent. Billy Gilmour was immense against the Netherlands as were McGinn and McTominay. Lewis Ferguson is improving all the time.
The Celtic skipper is currently sidelined with an achilles injury. Brendan Rodgers has stated that he is optimistic his talisman will be available again after the international break.
It is to be hoped the individual who orchestrated the draw with England and scored against Croatia at Euro 2020 in 2021 is back on the field soon. His experience and technical expertise will be invaluable this summer.
Don’t panic
There are lies, damned lies and statistics. The fact that Scotland have gone seven games without a win for the first time since 2005 does not look great on paper. But examine who the national team have played in the past six months.
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Was it really a disgrace they failed to draw with or defeat England at home and Spain, France and the Netherlands away? They are all in the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings. Was it really so shocking that Georgia and Norway were not overcome? They matches were meaningless with qualification safely secured.
Yes, the Northern Ireland reverse was a dull one. But Clarke should keep his shape and retain his faith in the personnel, formation and tactics which helped Scotland go nine competitive matches without suffering a defeat not all that long ago.
Beat Gibraltar and Finland
Scotland could do with the cheers of the Tartan Army ringing in their ears – not the boos and jeers of their concerned countrymen – when they arrive at the Euro 2024 finals in Germany in June.
Victories over both Gibraltar in the Estadio Algarve in Faro on Monday, June 3, and Finland at Hampden four days later are absolutely vital. End of.
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