Ewan Murray's Pre-Match Analysis
Steve Clarke plans to acknowledge honoring a major milestone when Belarus visit Hampden Park on Sunday.
It will be game 72 in charge for Clarke, overtaking Craig Brown to become Scotland's longest-serving manager regarding games played.
His main objective revolves around securing a World Cup spot, with Scotland well placed, yet he acknowledges his extended tenure.
"I’d be a bit daft if I wasn’t proud because I’m the first guy to hit that total of games," he said.
"It’s nice, though it's a minor individual achievement for now.
Attention shouldn't center on me.
It’s about the team and focuses on striving to qualify for the global tournament hence that's precisely what we’re going to focus on."
"The brief required securing qualification for major competitions.
We've achieved this on two occasions, though we desire to accomplish it once more since we're all ambitious.
The expectation required achieving to the best of my ability.
I've continually examined the team and you’re thinking: 'How can we improve to enhance?'
Did I believe it would last this long?
Likely not, yet here I remain."
Fixture Overview
Certainly, that famous reference is rather overused.
However, no expressions can be found that more accurately depict Scotland's historical association with international football's premier event – perhaps none that are publishable during daytime hours.
Earlier eras aspired to progress past the group stages; currently the objective involves reaching the competition's main phase.
Scotland haven’t qualified for FIFA's premier event for over two decades, but Thursday’s comeback victory against the Greek team has given everyone a tremendous injection of that complex emotion known as hope.
Pool C Group Position
Here’s how the group stands midway through.
The first-place side qualifies directly, the second-place team go into the playoffs.
Denmark P3 Points 7 Goal Difference +9
Scotland Played 3 Pts 7 +4 Goal Differential
Greek Team P3 3 Points Goal Difference -1
Belarusian Side Played 3 0 Points -12 Goal Differential
Should everything proceed as expected, Scotland will face the Scandinavian team in their last group game come November 18th knowing that a victory – maybe even a draw, but let’s not get greedy you know – could ensure direct progression toward the global tournament.
Scotland go to Greece, who could be no longer in the running, 72 hours prior to that decisive Scandinavian fixture.
Prior to considering those fixtures, it's crucial – and I must emphasize this strongly – that they avoid creating a catastrophic error in today's match at Belarus at home.
Belarus are the most vulnerable opponent in the group, and the Scottish side triumphed the previous encounter by two goals to nil.
Under normal circumstances, Scotland will win in this match.
Under perfect conditions!
This concerns the Scottish national team and the World Cup regarding this matter.
Nothing is equal, least of all the eternal arm-wrestle between optimism and disappointment.
Fixture Particulars
Game commencement 5pm.