Reviewing Scotland’s International break

The most recent International break was one of the most successful in a while for Scotland. Two wins from two and maximum points were achieved by Steve Clarke’s side as they took a significant leap towards a play off place for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Today, I’ll be reviewing the International break from a Scotland point of view. Let’s begin. 

In every set of International fixtures, before the football itself begins, the major talking point is always the squad that has been picked. Steve Clarke reduced the size of his by two from twenty-six to twenty-four. The most likely reason for this is the fact there are just two games this time compared to the three of September. Greg Taylor and James Forrest were the two players who left without replacements. The only other alterations were in the goalkeeping and defensive positions; Rangers keeper Jon McLaughlin came in for Zander Clark and soon to be hero Scott McTominay replaced Declan Gallagher. There were no considerable or astounding adaptations to the Scotland squad this time around. 

We already knew going into the match that Scotland v Israel was a crucial one. A sold out Hampden Park would create an electric atmosphere for one of the most vital games of the qualifying campaign so far. We didn’t see the typical Scotland side we’re used to seeing with Steve Clarke as manager footballing wise. The side weren’t as solid defensively as they normally are. Israel had just three shots on target and two hit the back of the net. Scotland had three times the amount of shots on target as the visitors did. The game itself started in the worst possible manner for Scotland when Eran Zahavi gave Israel the lead through a stunning free kick five minutes in. He silenced Hampden with his marvellous strike and his finger went over his lips in celebration but such antics would come back to bite the PSV Eindhoven striker. From then on, the match was a topsy-turvy affair which had viewers on the edge of their seats. Scotland equalised before Israel retook the lead on thirty-two minutes. Just before the break, Scotland should’ve equalised. Lyndon Dykes scored a penalty in Austria for Scotland yet was denied by former Hibs man Ofir Marciano on Saturday evening. In the second half, Scotland had a job to do and the men on the pitch certainly lived up to the challenge. Dykes made up for his aforementioned penalty miss by latching on to Andy Robertson’s magnificent delivery to draw Scotland level with just over half an hour to play. This would set the match up for a dramatic, to say the least, finale. 

The fans’ tremendous support throughout the evening was rewarded in stoppage time when Jack Hendry nodded on John McGinn’s front post delivery for Scott McTominay. The Manchester United midfielder, who was filling in at centre back in Grant Hanley’s absence due to suspension, forced the ball into the back of the net via his midriff. An unorthodox finish which sent Hampden Park into sheer delirium. After the final whistle, more than fifty-thousand Scotland fans rejoiced to the now notorious Baccara anthem, at least among the Tartan Army, ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’. 

The win over Israel was a colossal one for Scotland. In reflection though, it would count for nothing if Steve Clarke’s men didn’t do their job in the Faroe Islands. 

Scotland seemed to have already done the hard bit by putting Israel to the sword however a trip North to play the Faroe Islands on an artificial pitch was a potential banana skin. 

Two changes were made by Steve Clarke from the side which defeated the Israelis; Grant Hanley returned from suspension to replace Callum McGregor and Ryan Fraser came straight in for Nathan Patterson on the right hand side although the introduction of the latter in the closing stages of the match would prove to be critical. 

It was an undeniably lacklustre display from Scotland. Big chances were a rarity but at one point in the game, the Faroes looked more likely to take the lead with Craig Gordon having to come up with some key saves. In the second half though, Scotland virtually dominated. It looked as though it was heading for a stalemate until Lyndon Dykes popped up on the eighty-sixth minute with what turned out to be the winner. Nathan Patterson’s pin-point to delivery was  met by the former Livingston striker who done the rest. It wasn’t a pretty performance but Steve Clarke and his men came away with the three points which, in evaluation, mattered most. 

Now that we’ve looked at the matches themselves and the performances, I’ll now pick my Player of the Break along with the best goal of the ones scored by Scotland in the most recent set of fixtures. 

Player of the Break - Lyndon Dykes

Scotland may have finally found the goalscoring talisman they’ve been in search of in Lyndon Dykes. The QPR striker became the first Scotland player to score in four consecutive matches for the senior men’s side in twenty-six years this International break. Dykes ably overcame the setback of missing a penalty in the Israel match to go on to net two massive goals; one in said fixture and the other was the winner in Torshavn, disposing his resilience. The Australian born striker continues to blossom on the International stage with Scotland. His decision to represent Scotland at International level over his country of birth looks to be the correct one. 

Goal of the Break - John McGinn v Israel

At times, John McGinn is the go-to man for goals for Scotland. This may be slightly contradictory of my previous point regarding Lyndon Dykes but the Aston Villa midfielder has eleven goals in forty appearances for his country including one against Israel in the most recent victory over the nation. Andy Robertson done some tremendous work down the left hand side before finding McGinn on the corner of the eighteen yard box. McGinn curved it into the top left corner, giving Ofir Marciano no chance. “Magic”, said Ally McCoist. This was the greatest of the four goals scored by Scotland in this International break. 

All in all, the importance of Scotland’s back to back victories over Israel and the Faroe Islands respectively should not be underestimated. They may go a long way in securing a play off place for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A win against Moldova in November will see Scotland secure a much talked about play off. It remains to be seen whether or not Scotland will be seeded for the play off. The format of which is a semi final then a final, similar to the one that saw Scotland reach Euro 2020. Being seeded for the semi final would be extremely beneficial.

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