It's a massive night for the national team as they get ready for the first leg of their Nations League play-off showdown
13:28, 20 Mar 2025
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Greece v Scotland - Nations League playoff preview
International football is back and for Scotland the stakes are high in terms of their Nations League involvement.
The Dark Blues recovered from three defeats in the opening three games of League A to put on a spirited display in the second round of fixtures in the section to pick up seven points after wins over Croatia and Poland and a home draw with Portugal.
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That handed the national team the right to play for their future in the top section with Greece - a team we face FOUR times this year - standing in our way of retaining our spot amongst the big dogs when the next Nations League campaign rolls around.
The team have jetted out for tonight's first leg encounter and there are faces new and old in the squad.
Kieran Tierney throws up the biggest question after the real success of late with the back four. Getting the Celtic-bound Arsenal star in the line-up along with skipper Andy Robertson in the past has meant a back five with the defender playing left centre-back.
Clarke admitted in his press conference it has given him plenty of food for thought but he dropped a subtle hint that the new boys like Lennon Miller and James Wilson will get more of a spectating view with a nod at naming an experienced side.
He said: “I always feel like a fresh start to me after that winter break. It’s a long time from November to March before you get your group of players back together. It’s nice, like I said earlier, it’s nice to have four new faces around you but we’ve brought in a bit of youth as well, which is always good - and hopefully, a little glimpse of the future.
“But obviously, we’ve got the boys that have done ever so well. We’ve got lots of experience, lots of caps. And maybe the situation, the atmosphere here tomorrow and the opponents that we’re playing needs an experienced team on the pitch."
Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour are tearing it up in Serie A for Napoli and in a historic moment, the boss could name a midfield engine room entirely of players earning a living in Italy's top flight.
But the boss has also shown in the past he is loyal to players as he seeks to head to Hampden on Sunday with the tie alive and kicking.
Scotland predicted XI to face Greece
Predicted Scotland XI to face Greece
Predicted Scotland XI to face Greece
Scotland squad in full to face Greece
Goalkeepers
Craig Gordon
Liam Kelly
Cieran Slicker
Defenders
Grant Hanley
Jack Hendry
Max Johnston
Scott McKenna
Ryan Porteous
Anthony Ralston
Andy Robertson
John Souttar
Kieran Tierney
Midfielders
Ryan Christie
Lewis Ferguson
Billy Gilmour
John McGinn
Kenny McLean
Scott McTominay
Lennon Miller
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Attackers
Ché Adams
Tommy Conway
Kevin Nisbet
James Wilson
George Hirst