ALEX McLeish has appealed to Scotland supporters to turn out in force at Hampden tomorrow night and roar the national team to a Nations League win over Israel that secures a Euro 2020 play-off place.
McLeish’s men, who romped to a 4-0 win over Albania in their penultimate Group C1 match in the Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder on Saturday night, will top their section if they can overcome their final opponents.
The 59-year-old, who has come under fire from supporters following a run of disappointing displays and poor results since being appointed back in February, wants fans to back their country in large numbers.
A draw or a defeat against the side who beat them 2-1 in Haifa last month will end Scotland’s hopes of progressing and their manager would like a big crowd to get behind them in their last outing.
Recent matches - including against Russia 2018 semi-finalists Belgium and Euro 2016 winner Portugal – have drawn poor crowds of little over 20,000.
But McLeish, whose side impressed massively at the weekend, is hopeful they will attract a good turnout tomorrow evening.
“We always try to win,” he said. “We have set ourselves up, as have Israel, and it should be a good game. We are at home so let’s hope there is a response from the Tartan Army.
“We’d like the supporters to come to cheer the guys to victory. If we play to that level again then we have a good chance.
Meanwhile ,Callum Paterson, who is set to start at right back at Hampden tomorrow evening, has expressed confidence that Scotland can beat Israel and go through to the play-off.
He feels the showing in Shkoder proved that the national team can live without the players who withdrew from the squad injured – and no fewer than nine pulled out – and achieve their objective.
“There were a few guys not here, but they’ve had injury problems and there’s nothing we can do about that,” he said. “All we can do is look after ourselves and make sure the guys who are playing do our best.
“It was a massive win. We needed that. It’s a great boost going in to the Israel game. There’s always pressure on international games. It doesn’t matter even if it’s a friendly, when you play with Scotland you are expected to win.
“It’s even more so when there is qualification at stake. You have the hopes of the nation on your shoulders. I was just glad they saw us get a result in Albania."
Meanwhile, Christian Panucci, the Albania manager, has admitted he could be sacked after his team finish bottom of their group.
"If the president doesn't believe in me it is up for negotiations," he said.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here