Scotland boss Steve Clarke is confident his players can keep their heads in what is sure to be a nerve-racking World Cup qualifying showdown with Greece in Athens tomorrow night.
The Scots have arrived in Piraeus knowing that a point at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium will tee up the prospect of a winner-takes-all clash with Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night.
It has the potential to be a seismic few days for the national team in their bid to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Clarke was highly critical of his players on the back of last month’s nervy 2-1 win over Belarus at Hampden, admitting it was one of the poorest displays of his tenure.
He admits that Scotland panicked against a team who were ranked 100 in the world – but is confident his players will rise to the occasion and hit top form this time around.
Telling his players to bring their A-game, Clarke said: ‘I don’t think we were spooked [against Belarus]. It happens in football. Sometimes it just doesn’t go for you.
Head coach Steve Clarke says he trusts his players to produce a big performance in Athens
‘My only concern at the time was that we might drop points in a game we shouldn’t drop points in. Then, suddenly, you are behind the eight ball in terms of qualification.
‘That was probably where the anger came from, from the fear that we were going to make a mess of things. We managed to avoid that.
‘The players knew the stakes were so high last time, which is maybe why they probably panicked a little bit during the Belarus game.
‘They maybe lost sight of what they were actually trying to do which was win the game comfortably.
‘But I think you could see, in the games we didn’t play quite so well in at home, we managed to find a way to win. That’s a good thing to have in your locker.
‘We need more from every player in the squad. Most of them have a part to play in the next couple of games.
‘We need them all at it, we need them all 100 per cent. The more players that can bring their A-game to the pitch, the better chance we have got.
‘The players are in a good place. Most of them now have a lot of experience of big games and know what to expect and how best to prepare so they can perform at their maximum.
‘You have to trust the players that they are going to get things right on the pitch.’
Despite the fact that a point would suffice in terms of keeping the dream alive, Clarke insisted he has no intention of playing for a draw.
‘My approach is always the same to every game,’ he added. ‘I prepare my teams to win. If you prepare to win and you play as well as you can, then most of the time you don’t lose.
‘I haven’t really given much thought to Tuesday night because, if we don’t get a win or a draw against Greece, then Denmark is not quite as big a game as we want it to be.’
Clarke’s main selection call will come in terms of which goalkeeper he picks to start in the absence of Angus Gunn.
Craig Gordon has not played any football for Hearts in six months, but his experience could well see him get the nod ahead of Liam Kelly and Scott Bain.
John Souttar says Scotland must stay calm and stick to their gameplan against the Greeks
Refusing to give much away, Clarke said: ‘You know me, I never talk about the team.
‘The players won’t know the team officially because I never tidy it up until the day of the game. But they will have a fair idea.
‘Craig is good. Liam is the same, despite not playing at Rangers but working ever so hard and training great.
‘Scott Bain has come into the squad and shown that he’s benefited from coming out of Celtic as the third goalkeeper and playing at Falkirk every week.
‘It’s been good. Chris Woods [goalkeeping coach] has been happy with the three of them.
‘I’ll make my decision on who I feel is the best for the team on the night.’
Scotland defender John Souttar insists it would be a dream come true to play in a World Cup after being left out of the squad for Euro 2024.
‘Of course it was tough to miss out,’ he said. ‘There was a good squad and good players ahead of me at the time.
‘But it’s one of these things in football. I try not to look back too much. Football can change quickly.
‘I am in a good position now and I’ve played a lot for Scotland over the past year. Long may it continue.
‘We are all well aware of how big these games are, but we can’t be too emotional about it. We need to be calm and stick to the gameplan the gaffer lays out for us.’
Greece boss Ivan Jovanovic, meanwhile, has no sour grapes about losing to Scotland at Hampden last month – but insists his team remain the better side.
Greece manager Ivan Jovanovic believes his team have shown they are better than Scotland
The Greeks, who have already been eliminated from World Cup qualification, lost 3-1 in Glasgow despite battering Scotland for the first hour of the contest.
That was their third meeting with Steve Clarke’s side this year, with Scotland winning twice whilst losing 3-0 back in March.
But despite that head-to-head record, Ivanovic was unequivocal when asked about how his team stacked up against the Scots.
Asked who he believed to be the better team ahead of the showdown in Piraeus, he replied: ‘Greece. I don’t think there is any doubt that all the matches between Greece and Scotland were entertaining.
‘We always have a respect for Scotland. They are a very good team with very good players. But, overall, in the three matches I believe we were a very good team and very competitive.
‘Over the last three games against Scotland, we’ve played a very good side so we expect a similarly tough game. But we won’t change the way we play. We’ll continue to play for a win like we do in all of our matches.
‘I don’t see football in terms of revenge. Sometimes it’s just details that make the overall difference in games. Certainly, Scotland have a greater motivation coming into this match in terms of the end product.
‘However, we’re playing in Greece so the Greek players have their own motivation which is playing for the national team in front of their own fans. I’m expecting a tough match but I don’t view it as revenge.’
