Having already qualified for Germany next summer you would have thought that Scotland’s next game doesn’t matter, right? Well, Steve Clarke is not a man who would think such a thing with Scotland travelling to Georgia for their penultimate game in the European Championship Qualifiers. Clarke’s men will be looking to put pressure on group leaders Spain, whilst also hoping for a slip up from the Spanish.
Liam Cooper spoke to the press and has laid out the mentality that himself and the rest of the squad must have, if they are to finish top spot. “If Spain drop points we can win the group and that’s our motivation right now.” Cooper, who has 17 caps for the national side and started in Scotland’s last game against France in Paris, said that the international side has a “club mentality” that has been key to their success. This has raised expectations for the group, whilst also creating a good belief within the camp, with Cooper and others having to perform well to ensure a place in Steve Clarke’s squad next summer.
“We only have this camp and the next camp to get ourselves in the managers thoughts for Germany.”
Liam Cooper, Scotland Defender
But Scotland come into the game against Georgia with injuries to key players, captain Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Angus Gunn to name a few, as well as having lost their last 3 games in a row. Scotland have not lost 4 games in a row since 2019 when Steve Clarke’s men lost twice against both Belgium and Russia.
Were Scotland to lose, this would be the sixth time in Scotland’s history that the side has lost 4 games in a row, the others being in 1965, 1973, 2002, 2003 and 2019.
Georgia will come into this game with confidence, having won their last two games against Thailand and Cyprus, but will also be looking for revenge after the sides last met in a very rainy Hampden Park in late June. Scotland took the lead after a few minutes when the ball fell to McGregor, who lashed the ball into the back of the net before the game was postponed for over 100 minutes. The teams came back out and McTominay secured the victory early in the second half. Georgian manager Willy Sagnol was furious with UEFA showing a lack of respect by pressuring them to play the match.
This will be the sixth competitive meeting between the two sides. Scotland have won all 3 games that have been played at Hampden Park, with Georgia winning both meetings at their home ground. The last meeting in Georgia was played in 2015, with the home side coming out 1-0 winners after a Qazaishuili goal. Scotland are currently training in Turkey before Thursday’s match with them having to travel on a 1 hour 45 minute, 484 mile flight to what is sure to be a slightly dryer match than their last encounter.
Due to injuries there is a first senior call up for Hellas Verona’s Josh Doig, with Lawrence Shankland coming in to replace the injured Che Adams. With Angus Gunn being out as well and Craig Gordon still missing there is a chance for either Liam Kelly or Zander Clark to make the number 1 spot theirs.
Scotland look set to be in pot 2 out of 4 for the European Championship draw, which takes place on 2nd December. The group winners are placed as top 10 seeds but the best performing 5 teams will join Germany in pot 1. Currently that is Spain. There are still these 2 games remaining to see who will end the group on top, which could have massive implications for Germany next summer. There is certainly a lot on the line for Scotland and Steve Clarke, who will be looking to end the qualification period in a similar fashion to how they started it.