Received Scottish wisdom is that a visit of Germany is precisely the kind of match to be relished after the crushing disappointment attached to Friday’s loss in Georgia. The sentiment is routinely overplayed; the Scots have a habit of performing well against football’s aristocracy but not so much recent history of beating such sides.
Scotland’s problem on this occasion is that they must glean reward from a clash with Joachim Low’s team to keep faint hopes of qualification for Euro 2016 alive. Gordon Strachan has attempted to gloss over shortcomings in Tbilisi - Scotland failed to register a shot on target against the Georgians – but the Group D table highlighted the cost of defeat. At best, surely, the Scots are now chasing a play-off berth.
“I’m not saying that’s the be all and end all, but I am looking for a point,” Strachan said. “I want three. But I have to pick a team in mind where I want a point but I want three as well. I don’t think anybody knows how to play for a draw. We are not saying it’s over and done with if we don’t get it, but I am more than confident we will get something from the game.
“We’ve got our frustration out in the last couple of days in training and we’ve been watching bits and bobs of video.
“We’ve got to try and get our minds set on the fact that we are playing the world champions here at Hampden, and that anything can happen. We’ve done it here before and we know we can do it again.”
Modify midfield
Strachan is set to implement a host of changes. He hinted yesterday that Chris Martin, the Derby County striker, may be handed a first competitive start. The manager is also likely to modify a midfield which under-performed in Georgia.
“Martin gives you an option,” Strachan explained. “He has strength, he can stand in there and take the ball in. He can’t run about like other people but he has the strength to get the ball under control and bring people into the game.
“I think his goalscoring record is as good as anybody’s over the last two years. In a competitive league as well.”
Low and his squad arrived in Glasgow yesterday lunchtime, fresh from a 3-1 success over Poland. They top the qualifying section, with a win over Scotland potentially sealing a place in the France 2016 finals should the Republic of Ireland falter against Georgia.
Last chance
“Scotland are fighting for their last chance,” Low said. “In the table they have fallen behind so they will give everything they have.
“I don’t think Scotland losing to Georgia helps us. If anything, it might make them more dangerous.”
Low will make minimal, if any, alterations to his team from Friday. “They keep evolving,” said Strachan of the world champions.
“They have evolved since the last time we played them, they’re doing things that are a wee bit different. I studied them in Poland [AT EURO 2012]and they have changed a bit since then.
“They have players who can play anywhere on the pitch with a physical presence, whether it’s the wide man or the one who steps in. Core strength, they all have that. They can interchange and they are comfortable in different positions. And with that they have a good touch and the ability to pass the ball, so when you’re playing them you are up against it.”
In Group D’s other game , second-place Poland welcome winless Gibraltar to Warsaw looking to extend their five-match unbeaten run at home.
Gibraltar have lost all seven qualifiers and lie at the foot of the standings. Guardian Service
