The Scotland national team return to action at Hampden tonight as they kick off their Nations League campaign against Poland. Steve Clarke’s men are determined to win back the trust of a deflated Tartan Army still hurting from the summer’s Euro heartache.
It will be Scotland’s first match since the sucker punch in Stuttgart that sent the Tartan Army home from their summer party in Germany.
Poland are looking to bounce back from a disappointing Euros themselves, having also finished bottom of their group on one point after being drawn alongside France, the Netherlands and Austria.
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The Scots will be taking part in League A of the Nations League this time, having earned promotion from Group B1 in September 2022.
Following tonight’s opener, they will face Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday before taking on Croatia next month.
Steve Clarke’s side have won just one of their last 12 matches, although they are unbeaten against Poland in 44 years.
Will Scotland kick off their Nations League campaign with a home win in front of the Tartan Army?
Here are our writers’ Scotland vs Poland score predictions.
Joe Donnelly Scotland 1 – 0 Poland
Despite pseudo inspirational social media posts calling for a 'determined', 'hopeful' and 'relentless' outlook among Scotland fans ahead of the national team's return to competitive football, the dark shadow of Germany still looms large for many.
And while Scotland supporters were hailed far and wide for their spirited revelry in the face of defeat back in June, the mood now more closely reflects the interminably bleak weather on home soil. All of which means a win this evening against Poland in the UEFA Nations League feels imperative.
It'd be nice to see a return of the free-flowing football that claimed the scalps of Spain and Norway, Georgia and Cyprus en route to Euro 2024, but a victory in any guise would surely help things on and off the pitch for Steve Clarke and his players – especially with Portugal and Croatia making up the rest of Group A.
David Irvine Scotland 1 - 1 Poland
After enduring a difficult Euro 2024 finals, a spark is badly needed for Scotland.
The feel-good culture and optimism was quickly sapped after the hammering at the hands of Germany and the cruel crushing defeat to Hungary to send us home.
After an extended wait for a Euros post-mortem, the national team must do something to encourage the Tartan Army.
The problem is that a stern test lies in wait with Poland no mugs and providing a serious test at Hampden.
Steve Clarke has some interesting options in the squad against Portugal and Poland and would be wise to use them to offer some excitement.
Scotland could badly do with a win to shake off the lingering disappointment from the summer but a draw would be a decent result with the match perhaps must-not-lose in the first instance.
Poland to take a lead but Scotland to rally and earn a point.
Ewan Paton Scotland 2 - 1 Poland
I think everyone could do with a pick-me-up after a dismal showing on the big stage at the Euros in Germany. So, just in time for the Indian Summer we're due this weekend, I reckon Steve Clarke's side will get us off to the perfect start in section A of the Nations League.
The squad looks depleted - okay, maybe a bit harsh - but different at least, so tonight presents the chance for some fresh faces to show what they can do.
I suspect both Ryan Gauld and Ben Doak will be allowed to flourish at some point in the evening. Goals from Scott McTominay and Lyndon Dykes, while the defence probably isn't solid enough to keep Poland out.
Lana Mackay Scotland 1-0 Poland
Overcoming the Euros hangover isn’t going to be easy. The fans - and the players - are still hurting and confidence is low. Despite Scotland’s impressive record against Poland – they haven’t beaten us at home since 1965 – they will be coming to Glasgow with a point to prove after suffering a similarly disappointing Euros campaign.
I do worry where our goals will come from and I fear the mood in Hampden could turn sour if we concede early on.
I think it’ll be tight, but I’m backing Scotland to just edge it. Super John McGinn to score.
