Ronaldo and Co lined up for friendly at Hampden
FROM BACK PAGE and have lined up Belgium for a Hampden bounce game on September 7 too.
McLeish’s men go up against Albania and the Israelis in the new-look Nations League in September and October.
And the Scotland boss said: “Portugal will provide a stern test for our players which is exactly what we’re looking for in opposition in challenge matches.
“The recent matches against Costa Rica and Hungary were invaluable to myself and my coaching team, allowing us to get to know the players and experiment with different systems. And this match will provide further opportunity for the team to develop.
“Our Nations League campaign will be in full swing when we play Portugal and it can only be a huge incentive to the players to have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best in the world.”
It comes as McLeish faces further pull-out concerns for next month’s trip to the Americas with seven potential call-ups in the fight for the English Championship play-offs.
Cardiff, who sit second, have Callum Paterson in their ranks while thirdplaced Fulham have midfield pair Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald.
Robert Snodgrass plays for fourth-placed Aston Villa with Derby duo Craig Forsyth and Ikechi Anya plus Millwall keeper Jordan Archer also in the battle.
The play-off final is set for May 26 – just three days before Scotland’s first game against Peru. Record Sport understands McLeish and his squad are scheduled to depart before that date to acclimatise, meaning any Wembley participants would surely be ruled out.