IT says much about where Scotland were to where they are now that Lubomir Moravcik, the former Celtic playmaker, admitted that he did not recognise Gordon Strachan’s side when they limped out of his homeland this time a year ago.
Now, as Group F nears its climax, few would have predicted that Scotland would still be in with a shout of landing a play-off place for the World Cup finals which will be held in Russia next summer.
The final two games of the group against Slovakia at Hampden on Thursday evening and Slovenia on Sunday will shape the final fate of Strachan’s side. When they squared up to Slovakia last October and left bewildered after a 3-0 reverse, it looked a mere formality that they would have been out of the running.
“I didn’t recognise the Scotland players in that game,” said Moravcik. “Many people in our media didn’t understand what had happened to Scotland after that game. They were not dangerous, they sat back, and Slovakia were able to play and score goals. There was no reaction from Scotland to try to do something.
“They came to our country, they got beaten, and they went home. I was surprised by the mentality of the Scottish players that night.”
What he does recognise is the magnitude of the next two games.
Regardless of what happens next, few would expect Strachan to stay on for another tour of duty.
The Scotland manager has been in the dug-out for four-and-a-half years – only Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown enjoyed greater longevity over the last 30 years – but there is no doubt that these final two games are among the most momentous of his time in charge.
There would seem something miraculous about a play-off spot that two wins out of the next two games would provide.
There has been some optimism given the fact that Scotland have enjoyed four consecutive victories from their last four qualifying matches, the first time they have enjoyed such a feat in their history.
It says much about the development of Leigh Griffiths in the last 12 months that the Celtic striker will be viewed as pivotal to Scotland’s chances, and not just in his homeland.
“I was invited over the season before when Leigh Griffiths was named the best player by the fans,” said the Slovak. “He scored 40 goals and I watched them and I think he has a fantastic left foot. He can score from any position, left foot, right foot, even headers. He is a very clever player and Slovakia must be careful around him. I know he is totally on form.”
For Moravcik, though, while Griffiths is to be watched, he has identified Marek Hamsik as the main man on show at Hampden.
“I think there’s only going to be one top player on the pitch, top European player – and that is Hamsik,” he said, while also offering a belief that Slovakia will attack Scotland.
“He’s playing for Napoli in the Italian league. The rest of the players are very good, but the only top playerHe is the key man in our team, who can change games, score goals.
“He is left and right foot. He is captain of Napoli and maybe it’s going to be freedom for him against Scotland. He is the best player in Slovakia.”
l Lubo Moravcik was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is a proud sponsor of the Scotland national team.
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