Scotland player form guide as we rate who's hot and who's not ahead of Euro 2020 date with destiny
Steve Clarke has seven Premier League players to choose from as he looks to find a team capable of downing Russia and Belgium.
Graeme YoungDaily Record sports writer
Updated 13:29, 5 SEP 2019
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The time is now for Scotland in their bid to revive their Euro 2020 hopes.
Alex McLeish was binned after the shocker in Kazakhstan but Steve Clarke has the chance to produce a comeback for the ages.
Scotland , who still have the safety net of the UEFA Nations League playoff, know there is no margin for error as the national team prepare for the all-or-nothing double header against Russia and Belgium.
A win on Friday against Stanislav Cherchesov's side will re-energise a nation and provide the perfect boost ahead of the visit of Roberto Marinez's all-star cast on Monday.
(Image: SNS Group)
Clarke believes he has the players at his disposal to end 22 years of hurt as he plots to deliver a weekend the Tartan Army won't forget.
Record Sport Online runs the rule over who's hot and who's not ahead of the mammoth double-header.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Craig MacGillivray: The Cinderella Man of the current squad. The former Stalybridge Celtic and Harrogate Town shotstopper has earned his big chance after an impressive run with Portsmouth. MacGillivray has started every game this season and replaces Celtic keeper Scott Bain in the squad.
David Marshall: The Wigan keeper is likely to start against Russia and Belgium. Marshall has played six times and kept his first clean sheet in the 0-0 weekend draw with Barnsley.
Jon McLaughlin: The Sunderland No.1 has yet to keep a clean sheet for the Black Cats so far this season, conceding eight goals in six games.
David Bates: The Hamburg defender is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Bates and featured in the EFL Cup win over Rotherham. Clarke has handed the 22-year-old a chance to impress with Scott McKenna, Stuart Findlay and John Souttar out with injury.
Liam Cooper: The Leeds captain has been a revelation under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road and will be eyeing a place in the starting XI against Russia. Cooper has played five league games for the promotion chasers and helped earn two clean sheets.
Mikey Devlin: The Aberdeen central defender was excellent in the 3-0 win against Ross County and the former Hamilton man is desperate to get back to his best after recent injury woes. Devlin could replace pal McKenna in the starting XI.
Charlie Mulgrew: The former Celtic star was involved in a frantic switch from Blackburn to Wigan earlier this month but the 34-year-old brings a calming presence to the Scotland backline. Mulgrew has played three times for the Latics this season helping earn two clean sheets in the process.
Stephen O'Donnell: The right-back was Kilmarnock's goal hero in the 1-0 win against the St Johnstone. O'Donnell also netted in the defeat to Rangers and has started seven games so far.
Andy Robertson: Scotland's star turn. The Liverpool star is one of the world's best lest-backs and has started all four of the Reds' wins to start the Premier League season. The skipper is irreplaceable for club and country.
Greg Taylor: The 21-year-old is on a high after sealing his switch to Celtic. He hasn't played since mid-August but already has five games under his belt.
(Image: Rogan/JMP/REX/Shutterstock)
Stuart Armstrong : The Southampton midfielder doesn't start every week at St Mary's but provides an energy boost from the bench. His tireless running helped secure a gutsy 1-1 draw for the 10-men with Manchester United at the weekend. He has featured as sub in three Premier League games so far after injury at the tail end of the last campaign.
Ryan Christie: Celtic's midfield dynamo started the season like a runaway train and was excellent in Sunday's 2-0 win over Rangers. Clarke is a big fan the former Scotland U21 star who has played 13 games already this season at club level. Christie has netted eight goals in all competitons.
Eden Hazard out of Belgium squad through injury in boost to Scotland
Ryan Jack: Rangers' beating heart had to bide his time for a Scotland recall and will be licking his wounds after the loss to Celtic. He's already made 11 appearances and the 27-year-old is the first name on the teamsheet for Steven Gerrard at club level.
John McGinn: Aston Villa supporters adore McGinn and his dedication to the cause at club level after a sizzling start to his Premier League career. The 24-year-old loves playing for his country and will be looking to add to his 14 caps. McGinn already has two assists in four games for the Villans.
Callum McGregor: Celtic's pass master is a class act for club and country. The 26-year-old has the ability to the pull the strings in any game and has played 12 times for the Hoops, scoring twice. Expect McGregor to start both crucial games.
Scott McTominay: The Manchester United academy graduate has become a vital member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. McTominay has started all four games in the heart of midfield alongside Paul Pogba and won a penalty against Crystal Palace.
Robert Snodgrass: Scotland's comeback kid. The amiable 31-year-old is adored by West Ham supporters and turned heads during his 20-minute cameo against Norwich at the weekend. He's featured in four games under Manuel Pellegrini.
(Image: Garry F McHarg Daily Record)
James Forrest: The 28-year-old is in the form of his life and netted in five consecutive games in August. He was quiet against Rangers but expect Forrest to be back to his best for his country. Clarke will almost certainly place his faith in the Celtic star to put Russia under the cosh. Forrest has scored six goals in 12 appearances.
Ryan Fraser: Scotland have some serious talent and Fraser is right up there in terms of ability. The diminutive Bournemouth winger is the final year of his deal and has been excellent in the Cherries' opening five fixtures but has yet to find the net.
Oli McBurnie holds Scotland clear the air talks as £20m striker fronts up over THAT video
Oli McBurnie: The £20m Sheffield United man addressed THAT video with his team-mates and will be hoping to flip the Scotland script by nabbing his first international goal. McBurnie was won over the Blades faithful after netting in his home debut against Leicester. The striker started the 2-2 draw away to Chelsea before being subbed in the 63rd minute.
(Image: Leicester City FC via Getty Imag)
Steven Naismith: Hearts' key man returned after three weeks out with injury as he played the final nine minutes of the 2-2 draw with Hamilton. Naismith isn't at full-match sharpness but he's only 12 months removed from his heroics against Albania. Naismith netted against Aberdeen in the Premiership opener - one of only three appearances so far.
Matt Phillips: The West Brom striker has earned 14 caps since his debut in 2012 but has never quite been able to replicate his club form with his country. Phillips has netted twice in five appearances for the Baggies this season including the 3-2 win over Blackburn at the weekend.
Johnny Russell: The 29-year-old has been a smash-hit Stateside with Sporting Kansas City. The former Dundee United striker is well into his MLS season and has scored nine times in 23 appearances.
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