It’s hard to believe it’s six days since Scotland ended 22 years of hurt and secured their place at Euro 2020 next summer.

Watch live

That magic David Marshall save, the party that followed and the joy that fans savoured lasted well into the weekend as a country rejoiced after so may false dawns.

But Scotland boss Steve Clarke was already looking at the big picture. Sunday’s narrow defeat to Slovakia was undeserved but there can be no hard luck stories against Israel tonight.

The national team must feel like they see Nir Bitton and Co more than their own families but a victory will put paid to a fixture that has been played five times in two years.

A win for Scotland means Nations League promotion and that will lead to bigger games and a second World Cup route if they come up short in traditional qualification for the Qatar showpiece.

The stakes couldn’t be higher and we’ll be with you with all the team news and build-up ahead of kick-off at the Netanya Stadium.

Who’s ready to boogie?

Somewhere out there there’s an alternate universe where Kenny McLean missed his penalty against Israel at Hampden, Scotland lost the shootout, and Steve Clarke lost his job shortly thereafter.

Here in the real world, however, Scotland are at the Euros, Clarke is a national hero, and confidence could scarcely be higher going into a Nations League decider.

Scotland can boogie their way into League A alongside the big boys with a win tonight. Who feels like dancing?

McBurnie’s snipers labelled ‘a joke’

Fed-up Barry Ferguson has pleaded with Oli McBurnie ‘s detractors to lay off the misfiring striker after his goalless Scotland run stretched to 14 games against Slovakia.

The £20m Sheffield United star replaced suspended Lyndon Dykes for the 1-0 Nations League defeat in Trnava but passed up a gilt-edged chance to open his account for the national team.

That cast fresh doubts over his suitability but both Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Euro 2020 qualification hero Ryan Christie backed the forward.

And now Ferguson has launched an impassioned defence of the towering target man ahead of the Nations League crunch clash with Israel.Fed-up

READ MORE: Oli McBurnie’s snipers labelled ‘a joke’ as Rangers hero Barry Ferguson comes out swinging

Shares:

Drop a Reply