Gordon Strachan has backed Steve Clarke and Scotland to pick up a historic win as they face off against England tonight.
The two teams meet at Hampden tonight to mark the 150th anniversary of the first international – a goalless draw at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Partick.
Clarke’s side go into the game on a high having won 11 qualifying matches in a row. Friday’s 3-0 victory in Cyprus made it five wins from five in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and kept open the possibility of Scotland qualifying tonight.
Former Hampden boss Strachan has been impressed with the rise of Scotland under Clarke and he reckons there is no way they get beat by Gareth Southgate's side.
He told the Gambling Zone: "This is going to be a fiery game. We’ve got two teams playing each other that have both done incredibly well in recent times. Two team that are powerful, they’ll be some great players on the pitch and both of the sides are very comfortable with their shape and tactics.
"Both teams are in a good place, Scotland in particular. Scotland have got players that are playing at the top of their game at the moment, playing at the very top level. If you look at Scotland’s four midfield players, you have Callum McGregor, who will be playing Champions League football with Celtic. Scott McTominay, a player who everyone is wondering why he can’t get a game for Manchester United at the moment because of his ability. John McGinn, who has been sensational since moving to England and Billy Gilmour who plays for one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League in Brighton.
"Steve Clarke has been very clever with what he’s done. He’s found a system that enables him to play all of his best players and has picked a shape that suits them. That enables Robertson to do what he does best in terms of providing width and quality in the wide areas, with Tierney – who is such a good football player – to play as a left-sided centre back. He’s getting all his best players into the team.
"Scotland aren’t inundated with top strikers, but with the midfield that we have, and the power of players like McGinn and McTominay, they can get into the box and make a big difference. We saw that the other night against Cyprus in qualification. Some midfield players don’t have the power or the ability to do that.
"When I look at the overall balance and the way the team is set-up, it’s fantastic. McGregor and Gilmour give players like McGinn and McTominay the freedom to go forward and Robertson and Hickey provide the width. The good thing about this team is that they are all starting to mature at the same time – this isn’t a team of youngsters – this is a team of players who are mainly between the age of twenty-five and thirty and coming into their prime. They know the game. They have the energy and vibrancy.
"The way that Scotland played has evolved since the last time the two sides met. The system has changed, and the Scottish FA deserve credit because they’ve allowed Steve to get on with his job. That has really helped the development of his team. There aren’t many teams in the world that would like to play Scotland right now.
"I don’t think Scotland will get beat. I don’t think that we will get beat whatsoever."
