Three issues to keep watch over as Scotland look to keep away from Nations League relegation in Greece play-off

March 20, 2025

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Scotland kick off their 2025 with a Nations League play-off towards Greece, starting with the primary leg away from residence on Thursday evening.

The Scots are aiming to remain in Group A, the highest tier of the competitors, whereas the Greeks are going for promotion from Group B.

Forward of the motion, we’ve picked out a collection of statistical and historic nuggets so that you can pore over…

Honours even

Scotland in action against Greece during a Euro 96 qualifying match, 1994

Motion from the first-ever assembly between Greece and Scotland in 1994 (Picture credit score: Alamy)

This shall be Scotland’s third assembly with Greece, following Euros qualifiers in 1994 and 1995. Every nation received 1-0 at residence then, with the Scots occurring to qualify for Euro 96.

Ally McCoist scored the winner for Craig Brown’s group at Hampden Park, lower than a minute after coming off the bench.

Scotland received’t discover it straightforward to take the lead within the head-to-head battle, although: they’re dealing with a Greek aspect who’ve received six of their final seven video games – together with a dramatic 2-1 Nations League victory over England at Wembley in October – and risen to 39^th within the FIFA World Rating, their highest place since August 2017.

Robertson rising

Scotland captain Andy Robertson looks on during the Euro 2024 match against Switzerland in Cologne, Germany

Andy Robertson has captained Scotland at two main tournaments (Picture credit score: Alamy)

Captain Andy Robertson is poised to develop into simply the third participant to earn greater than 80 caps for Scotland.

The Liverpool left-back at the moment sits joint third on the all-time listing alongside Darren Fletcher. Assuming he’s concerned as anticipated in Piraeus, he’ll have solely Jim Leighton (91 caps) and Kenny Dalglish (102) forward of him.

It’s been simply over 11 years since Robertson, who turned 31 final week, made his worldwide debut instead towards Poland throughout his Dundee United days.

In the meantime, ought to John McGinn bag a brace – as he has finished on three earlier events for his nation, hitting one hat-trick – he’ll develop into solely the fifth Scotland participant to move the 20-goal mark, after Denis Regulation, Kenny Dalglish (each 30), Hughie Gallacher (24) and Lawrie Reilly (22).

The Scottish diaspora

Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay of Napoli warm up ahead of the Serie A match against Inter at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, November 2024

Napoli pair Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay are amongst 4 members of the Scotland squad based mostly in Italy (Picture credit score: Alamy)

The 23 gamers in Steve Clarke’s newest Scotland squad are unfold throughout 20 completely different golf equipment from eight completely different leagues in six completely different international locations. How’s that for selection?!

Gamers plying their commerce in Scotland, England, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Austria and Italy all function, with three golf equipment supplying two apiece: Hearts, Rangers and Napoli. Intriguingly, Hearts present each the oldest and youngest squad members: 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon and uncapped 18-year-old ahead James Wilson.

Three issues to keep watch over as Scotland look to keep away from Nations League relegation in Greece play-off

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