NO disrespect is meant to Scotland’s striking options going into the double-header against Russia and Belgium when it is said that the days of Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish donning the dark blue seem a very long time ago.

Indeed, it could be argued that with Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths absent from the latest squad as he continues his quest for full fitness, Scotland even go into these potentially crucial fixtures without the best number nine of the current crop.

For national team manager Steve Clarke, the choice boils down to one of three from Steven Naismith, Johnny Russell and Matt Phillips. And the latter believes he is just the man to seize the vacancy.

Phillips was absent from Clarke’s first squad for the June fixtures against Cyprus at Hampden and Belgium away, but having bagged his only goal for his country playing as a lone striker in the friendly win over Hungary during Alex McLeish’s reign, he is confident he can repeat the feat for his new boss come Friday evening at Hampden.

“Definitely,” Phillips said. “The number nine position is the one where I’ve not played as much as the others but it’s one I enjoyed.

“I got my first goal for Scotland playing in that role and I enjoyed that. It will be down to where the manager sees fit to play me.”

He knows there is only way to alter the perception of Scotland’s weakness up top though.

“Scoring the goals on the pitch can change that,” he said.

Even if he doesn’t get the nod to start up top, Phillips is prepared to play anywhere to help the national cause, with Slaven Bilic deploying him in any of the positions along the front four on a regular basis at club level with West Brom.

The tactical nous of both his national and club managers isn’t the only area he has noticed similarities between them, with Phillips impressed by the aura Clarke has around the Scotland camp.

“He (Bilic) likes a bit of rotation,” Phillips said. “We play a 4-2-3-1, so anywhere across the front line is where I have played the majority of my football.

“He was sent off two games ago, but he’s chilled out around the club and has an aura. That got him the respect of everyone and things are looking good. I’ve had a fair few managers and top players and he is right up there.

“Everyone gives [Steve Clarke] the respect [too]. The work they do in and around the camp is where you learn the most about them and where they probably have the greatest effect

“When a new manager comes in, the boys will take in his tactics and gameplans and we’ll have a good week ahead of looking to put in a good performance.

“This is my first meet-up with the boys under the new manager and it’s going to be fresh ideas.

“Obviously, I know the boys from before. It might be a new way of playing and we just need to put in a performance.

“I’m really enjoying the start. I’ve got a new manager at club level and Bilic has been brilliant since he came in.

“Players have come in and gone out, but we have started well and I’ll look to keep that going.”

While Phillips missed out on the positive performances from Clarke’s first two games in charge, the level that Scotland’s players are operating at gives Phillips hope for the challenges ahead this week.

“If you look across our squad now a lot of the boys are playing against the top players,” he said.

“The boys at Rangers and Celtic are playing European football so are coming up against tough tests all the time. We’ve got to use that as a positive and use the experience that everyone has.

“You have to have a belief we can beat them at home. You have to. We’ve got a good squad as well. There are a lot of good players in there.

“We’ve got to believe in each other, believe in the plan and put it into action.”