STUART ARMSTRONG believes it is important Scotland get their Nations League triple-header off to a strong start with victory over Ukraine at Hampden this evening.
The national team host Oleksandr Petrakov’s side before travelling to Poland for the return fixture on Tuesday night and the Scots’ destiny is in their own hands.
Wins in their next two outings, against Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland, would leave Scotland requiring just a point from their final Group B1 match in order to top the group.
Steve Clarke’s side were defeated by Ukraine in the World Cup play-offs in June and the Irish recorded a 3-0 win in Dublin later in the same international break, and Armstrong insists that he and his team-mates are fully aware that they cannot afford repeat performances this time around.
“It'll definitely be difficult but we know it can be done,” said the Southampton midfielder. “We're all in agreement that the summer games didn't go as planned. Obviously the Ukraine game, initially, and then Ireland.
“We need to put in a better performance. We still have belief that we can get a lot of points from the next few games.
“We look at all the games in terms of needing three points, but I do think it's important to get off to a good start. If we do that [tonight] it puts us in a good position with some momentum going forward.”
The circumstances heading into the World Cup play-off were unusual, to say the least. It was the first match that the Ukrainian national team had contested since the Russian invasion was launched but Armstrong does not believe their opponents’ plight was a factor in the 3-1 loss in Mount Florida.
“No, I wouldn't say so,” he said. “Once the game starts it's purely football and everyone within our squad was aware of that.
“I think that goes for every fixture. There's always something on the exterior. Of course, we were all aware of the magnitude of that.
“I think when the game starts it's purely football and you put everything else outside of your mind. We had a look at that game when we first came in, along with the other games, and realised what we could do better in the future and what went wrong.”
However, the 30-year-old believes that the Ukraine game came at the wrong time for the majority of the squad. Four matches – the play-off and three Nations League fixtures – were played in a two-week window at the end of the season and Armstrong believes Scotland suffered from the intense schedule.
He explained: “I think four games in the summer is too many. There is a lot of football at the moment. There are more and more games and the games are more intense than they used to be.
“With Southampton we don’t play European football but having experienced it before with Celtic and the top teams in England playing European football on top of international football, it’s a lot.
“When you put a lot into the games it definitely takes it out of you. So I would say that there are a lot of games – probably too many. It’s not an excuse for the performance but there are definitely too many fixtures in my opinion.
“Everyone wants to play. You don’t see games and think you don’t want to play. Everyone wants to play but sometimes physically to churn out performance after performance with club, league and cups, and international football – it’s definitely a lot of football.”
He continued: “It’s tough to say [if the players are in better condition mentally and physically now]. I think after a break you are always a little bit more refreshed.
“If you’ve got injuries or you’ve got something that’s bothering you there’s never a chance to let up during the season. But if you get a natural break of three or four weeks you can overcome it and start again.
“I would say now in professional football everyone looks after themselves and everyone is very fit so I would say at any point during the season towards the end and the start everyone is in good condition.”
Armstrong is certainly in contention for a place in Clarke’s starting XI this evening, although his place in the team has not always been assured. With the likes of John McGinn, Ryan Christie and Ryan Fraser also vying for a No.10 role in the line-up, the former Dundee United and Celtic midfielder isn’t short of rivals for a starting berth.
The man himself understands the dilemma facing his manager and although he would like to feature as heavily as possible for his nation, he accepts that there simply aren’t that many spaces available for a player in his position.
“Obviously I always want to start but there are a lot of good players here and you have to fight for your place,” Armstrong said. “Before, we were playing more defensively with five at the back, which eliminates one from your forward area.
“I am happy every time I come on, whenever that is. If I start or if I come on at the end, whatever, I am just happy to put on the jersey and come on. It’s a great feeling representing your country. I never take it for granted. If I can start more, great, but I’m very happy with any contribution I can make.”
