THE coming few weeks are set to have seismic repercussions for Scottish football.
We will discover if Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian and Rangers can reach the Champions League, Conference League and Europa League next week when they play their play-off round second leg matches against FCSB, Kairat, Legia Warsaw and Club Brugge respectively.
It is to be hoped that they can all record the results they need to achieve their objectives and enhance the reputation of our national game in the process.
The first Old Firm game/Glasgow derby/Sevco 5088 Ltd v Pacific Shelf 595 Ltd face off of the new season will then be played at Ibrox a week tomorrow.
If the hosts lose to the defending champions they will suffer a savage psychological blow and find themselves seven points, possibly even 10 points, behind their city rivals in the William Hill Premiership table.
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Will Russell Martin, whose new-look team have a difficult league encounter against St Mirren in Paisley to negotiate tomorrow before flying out to Belgium, be able to survive a loss?
It would be ridiculous to jettison a manager who has overseen such drastic changes so early in his tenure. He needs time to integrate his new recruits into his squad and implement his ideas. Still, anything is possible on Planet Football.
But the really important business in Scottish fitba will only get underway once the final whistle has blown in the showdown between the Glasgow behemoths in Govan next Sunday.
It is 28 long years since Scotland beat Latvia 2-0 at Celtic Park to reach the World Cup finals in France the following summer. Can the current national team end a run of six unsuccessful qualifying campaigns, emulate their predecessors in the coming months and make it through to the tournament proper in Canada, Mexico and the United States?
However, Steve Clarke, who will name his squad for the opening double header at Hampden on Monday, has proved pretty adept at getting his country to the Euros during his lengthy tenure. He booked a spot at Euro 2020 via the play-offs and secured a berth at Euro 2024 with two games to spare.
Here are a few reasons why Tartan Army footsoldiers should seriously think about pricing up flights to Guadalupe, Toronto and Philadelphia – and one reason they might have to remain at home and watch the whole extravaganza on television once again.
Strength in depth
Clarke has made a conscious effort to give game time to promising youngsters who he feels are capable of doing a job for their country in future in recent runouts. He has given game time to the likes of Josh Doig, Max Johnston, Andy Irving, Lennon Miller, James Wilson, Kieron Bowie and Tommy Conway.
He now appears to have a few more options than he did before and may be better placed to cope with the injuries and suspensions which will inevitably arise. If Aaron Hickey, who made his comeback for Brentford this week after two years out, can force his way back into the squad it would be a huge boost to the national team’s chances.
Italian stallions
Scott McTominay capped a sensational debut season with Napoli earlier this month when he was named on the 30 man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. The Serie A MVP, who inspired the Gli Azzurri to just the fourth Scudetto in their history last term, won’t become the first Scot since Denis Law to win it. Still, being nominated will boost his morale further.
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McTominay, though, is not the only member of the national team who is loving life in Italy. His club mate Billy Gilmour also received a league winner’s medal following his efforts last term. Their fellow midfielder Lewis Ferguson, meanwhile, captained Bologna to a Coppa Italia triumph over AC Milan in Rome.
How will Lennon Miller, who made his long-awaited debut in a dark blue jersey against Iceland in June, fare now that he has moved from Motherwell to Udinese? The 6ft 18-year-old is a gifted player and should be able to make the same sort of impact that his compatriots have.
Ben’s back
The injury-enforced absence of winger Ben Doak was keenly felt by Scotland in their friendly against Iceland. But the 19-year-old, who has no decided he wants to be called Ben Gannon Doak, has been involved in pre-season. What is more, he completed a £25m move from Liverpool to their Premier League rivals Bournemouth last week. Hopefully, he can feature regularly and elevate his career to a higher level.
Experienced campaigners
There is youthfulness in the Scotland set-up now with Josh Doig, Max Johnston, Nathan Patterson, Lennon Miller, Connor Barron, James Wilson and Kieron Bowie emerging. But there is no shortage of old heads either with Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, John Souttar, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn and Che Adams involved.
They won’t be fazed by the prospect of playing Denmark, Greece and Belarus. They have been there before. A few of them will be sensing the end of their international careers drawing nearer and will be determined to make the most of what could be their last chance to play in a World Cup.
Keeper crisis
Who is going to play in goals for Scotland in their Group C games? It is anyone’s guess. Craig Gordon is not back playing for Hearts and Angus Gunn hasn’t featured for Nottingham Forest since joining them this summer. It looks like Tynecastle stand-in Zander Clark may get the nod. He has international experience. But can the four-times capped 33-year-old cut it in World Cup qualifying? We might be about to find out.
