Scotland v Greece live: Crunch World Cup 2026 qualifier as Scots look to end 38-year absence – UK Times

Steve Clarke has made three changes to the side that beat Belarus last time out. Aaron Hickey comes into defence in place of Max Johnston at right-back, while Grant Hanley replaces Scott McKenna.

In midfield, Billy Gilmour drops out in favour of Ryan Christie, with Clarke opting for the same attacking four of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams.

Greece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas, Zafeiris, Kourmpelis, Bakasetas, Tzolis, Masouras, Pavlidis.

Subs: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Giannoulis, Rota, Michailidis, Konstantelias, Douvikas, Mouzakitis, Mantalos, Siopis, Karetsas, Ioannidis.

Scotland XI: Gunn, Hickey, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson, Ferguson, McGinn, Christie, McTominay, Doak, Adams.

Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Tierney, Gilmour, Dykes, hendry, Miller, McKenna, Hirst, Bowie, Ralston, McLean.

The line-ups should be released in the next five minutes or so, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for the hosts…

Clarke has a selection dilemma between the sticks, with Craig Gordon out of action since May but coming into the squad in place of Hearts teammate Zander Clark. Angus Gunn, who kept clean sheets against Denmark and Belarus, is likely to retain his place in goal.

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston is back to fitness and replaces Derby county’s Max Johnston, but there is no place in the squad for Lawrence Shankland despite his seven-goal start to the season for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Clarke, 62, has been in the dugout 70 times since taking over in 2019 and has led the Scots to the last two European Championships but is looking to take them to a first World Cup finals since Brown’s side went to France.

Scotland take on Greece on Thursday 9 October, with kick-off at 7.45pm at Hampden Park.

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on BBC Two, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer, with coverage from 7.30pm.

Scotland XI: Gunn, Ralston, Souttar, McKenna, Robertson, McGinn, Gilmour, Ferguson, McTominay, Doak, Adams

Greece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas, Zafeiris, Kourbelis, Karetsas, Bakasetas, Tzolis, Pavlidis

Greece will miss Olympiacos defender Panagiotis Retsos due to a groin injury, while Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis will lead the line and hope to transfer some of his league form into international results, having scored give goals in eight games for the Portuguese side.

Clarke has a selection dilemma between the sticks, with Craig Gordon out of action since May but coming into the squad in place of Hearts teammate Zander Clark. Angus Gunn, who kept clean sheets against Denmark and Belarus, is likely to retain his place in goal.

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston is back to fitness and replaces Derby county’s Max Johnston, but there is no place in the squad for Lawrence Shankland despite his seven-goal start to the season for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Scotland bid to continue their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying today as they take on Greece at Hampden Park.

Steve Clarke’s men picked up four points from their opening two matches, a gritty goalless draw with Denmark and a routine 2-0 win over Belarus.

They sit joint-top of the group alongside the Danes to put them in a strong position to qualify for a first World Cup since 1988, with Greece right behind them on three points.

But they will need to erase their most recent memory of playing Greece after losing 3-1 on aggregate to today’s visitors in the Nations League in March, including a damning 3-0 loss at Hampden Park.