How Scotland could line-up against Israel

12:23pm on Wednesday 18th November 2020
By Robin Bairner

After sealing a place at Euro 2020 with a penalty shootout victory over Serbia on Thursday, Scotland have the opportunity to win promotion to the Nations League ‘A’ level in Israel – but it is a game they must win.

In addition to the carrot of playing three of Europe’s biggest sides, winning the group would go a long way to securing at least a playoff spot for a place in the 2022 World Cup, so this is a game that cannot be taken lightly.

Scotland have already missed one opportunity to take top spot as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Sunday with a much-changed side. That opened the door for the Czech Republic to overcome Israel by a similar margin and take the race to the final game.

With that in mind, Steve Clarke is expected to go with a strong team for this encounter. After making wholesale changes for the Slovakia match, may of these are expected to be undone.

Captain Andy Robertson is fit to play at left-back, which is likely to see Kieran Tierney pushed into the back three once more. Meanwhile, a suspension for Stuart Armstrong means John McGinn and Ryan Christie are both likely to continue.

Lyndon Dykes notably returns from suspension and will surely replace Ollie McBurnie at the head of the attack.

Israel, meanwhile, will be no pushovers, having become familiar foes with Scotland in recent times. The sides have played four times, with a win each and two draws, one of which ended in a penalty shootout that set the Scots up for their victory over Serbia.

Celtic’s Hatem Abd Elhamed is suspended after he was sent off against the Czechs on Sunday.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Marshall (Derby County); McLaughlin (Rangers); Gordon (Hearts)

Defenders: Considine (Aberdeen); Gallagher (Motherwell); McKenna (Nottingham Forest); Cooper (Leeds); O'Donnell (Motherwell); Palmer (Sheffield Wed); Robertson (Liverpool); Tierney (Arsenal); Taylor (Celtic); Hanley (Norwich City)

Midfielders: McTominay (Manchester United); Christie (Celtic); McGregor (Celtic); Jack (Rangers); McGinn (Aston Villa); Kenny McLean (Norwich City)

Forwards: Dykes (QPR); Fraser (Newcastle); Burke (Sheffield United); McBurnie (Sheffield United); Griffiths (Celtic); Paterson (Sheffield Wed); Shankland (Dundee United)