Shinnie determined to reward Scotland fans

GRAEME Shinnie has stressed that the Scotland squad are every bit as keen as the Tartan Army to get to Euro 2020.

The Scots have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.

Alex McLeish’s side found a speedbump to the next European Championships via the inaugural Nations League, in their last Group C1 game in Haifa when they lost 2-1 to Israel to fall three points behind the section leaders.

Scotland are preparing for the final double-header in Albania tomorrow night which comes before the visit of Israel on Tuesday and the 27-year-old Aberdeen midfielder insists qualification is

Finals target: Graeme Shinnie

just as important to the players.

He said: “The squad is desperate to qualify like the whole nation is and yes, we know the importance of it and we are all determined to do that as a squad.

“It is something that we are working hard for.

“It obviously wasn’t a great night (in Israel) and the performance wasn’t what we wanted it to be.

“We lose the game and there is always going to be criticism, I have experienced that at club football, that’s just what happens. But it is in our hands now and it us up to us to go and turn it around.

“These two games are massive for us and if we can win both of them you will get the plaudits so you take the good and the bad.

“We know it is a game we can go and win.”