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An unforgiving environment awaits but that will not faze Clarke and his team

By CALUM CROWE

WHEN the Nations League first came into existence in 2018, Scotland were slumming it in the third tier alongside the likes of Israel and Albania. Hampden was half empty for games against such modest opposition, with just over 17,000 turning up for a 2-0 win over the Albanians in September 2018. Then came the Steve Clarke revolution after he took the job the following summer, setting the wheels in motion for a quite remarkable transformation. So much so that, following the 0-0 draw with Ukraine on Tuesday which secured top spot in the section, Scotland can now look forward to rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite after winning promotion to Group A. After so many games over recent years against the likes of Israel, Austria, Albania, Armenia and the like, there’s surely a welcome novelty factor in a return to the top table. What a prospect it would be to see Kylian Mbappe and France pitching up at Hampden. Or the Netherlands Italy or Spain. You can basically take your pick. However, it might also come with a slight note of caution. Scotland have built up some excellent momentum under Clarke in the Nations League over recent years. It was this competition which eventually led to a path back to a major tournament at Euro 2020 thanks to the play-off system. While the other European powerhouses might turn their nose up at the Nations League, it has undoubtedly been a godsend for Scotland.

It has allowed them to build and develop a squad, as well as giving them a sense of purpose and competitive action rather than the friendlies of old. As they now prepare to take a seat at the top table, though, they will do well to maintain that momentum when the next Nations League campaign comes around. To be absolutely clear, no one is trying to rain on Scotland’s parade. They fully deserve all the plaudits that have come their way over the past week. Certainly, it makes a nice change to have a wave of positivity sweeping the nation, rather than the usual inquests which have so often come at the end of international breaks in the past. But, when the time comes, Scotland will be going into Group A with their eyes wide open. Depending on the luck of the draw, it can be a brutally unforgiving environment. Wales have found that to their cost. After winning promotion, they were pitched into a group alongside the Dutch, Belgium and Poland. Rob Page’s side failed to win any of their six games, drawing once against the Belgians and losing the other five. Granted, it’s not all doom and gloom. They have the World Cup in Qatar to look forward to after booking their place through the Nations League play-off system. But it’s hard not to feel like they’ve just lost a little bit of momentum after being relegated from League A. At the other end of the spectrum is Hungary, who won promotion and then gave an outstanding account of

themselves in League A. They finished second in a section which contained England, Germany and European champions Italy. Who’s to say Scotland can’t do something similar? That will certainly be the plan for Clarke and his players as they look to build on what they’ve achieved over the past week. They will also now go into Pot Two for the main draw for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, knowing that they already have the safety net of a play-off to fall back on. As for the next Nations League campaign? A group of death for Scotland would perhaps look something like Italy, Belgium and France. We could also draw Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Croatia or Germany.

A more favourable group would be something along the lines of Croatia, Hungary and Poland. In any case, it will make a welcome change to be mixing it with the big guns of European football once again. No one is under any illusions that it will be a tall order for Scotland to compete. But Clarke and his players have shown that they relish a challenge. There’s an argument that Group B probably represents their natural level, just as the Europa League is probably the level for both Celtic and Rangers. But do you think they would trade their place in the Champions League just for a few more winnable fixtures? Not a chance.

Nations League

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2022-09-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

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