Gordon hopes rusty strikers hit sweet spot
HE will be hoping none of his strikers has developed a bad case of the yips and is probably looking for the one he selects to prove that weeks without competitive action have not irrevocably dulled whatever ability he once had to ‘hole out’ from close range.
The fact Gordon Strachan uses a golfing analogy to break down the problem facing his Scotland frontmen over the coming days certainly makes his point easy to understand.
Anyone dusting off their sticks and heading to the local pay-and-play course just in time for Masters week will know exactly what he means when he likens finishing in competitive games to hitting the links with a scorecard in your hand.
However, demonstrating a strong grip on the situation does not make the national team manager’s life any simpler. With this group of under-played forwards, there is always going to be an element of hit and hope. Hardly ideal for a team in danger of missing the cut in our World Cup qualifying group.
Taking no great satisfaction from the fact more people now understand precisely why he chose to squeeze in a friendly against Canada ahead of Sunday’s crucial Group F clash with Slovenia, Strachan said: ‘I did think I would need to do it.
‘Look at the strikers. Of the five we’ve picked, only one has started over the last couple of weekends. That’s a bit disappointing for them — and for us.
‘Because that striking business, it’s like putting at golf. You can get to a certain stage with your game, but playing regularly is what makes you able to make that putt. It’s the same with the finishing for strikers. You need that clinical edge.’
There is, of course, one striker in this squad who is fully match fit, although Strachan seemed to miscalculate the number of consecutive starts Jordan Rhodes has been handed at Sheffield Wednesday — at the expense of Steven Fletcher, mostly. The often overlooked forward has kicked off his club’s last ten games.
Strachan (below) does not rate Rhodes for the lone striker job in his system, though. Never has, never will. There is no point arguing with him about it. He is not going to be picked ahead of Fletcher.
Asked if playing time at club level might change his mind on who leads the line against Slovenia, Strachan insisted: ‘Well, it can’t — because I wouldn’t have anybody to start.
‘Because, even if you look at Jordan, he’s only played the last four or five games. He didn’t have a game before that.
‘So the strikers have played hardly any games, as such. What you’ve got to look for then is who looks good, who looks strong, who is the fittest, who will last the longest — and who feels good about themselves.
‘People can be out of the team and still feel really good about themselves, while others take it personally when they’re not getting picked. You can see that from their body language.
‘Some get frustrated. And you don’t want that frustration coming in because it can spread through the team. So there are a lot of elements in how I pick this side.’
Tomorrow night’s encounter with the Canadians already feels like a training exercise. New boys such as Ryan Fraser and Tom Cairney will be given time to play themselves into contention, while international regulars will have to prove themselves physically capable of competing against Slovenia.
‘There are other players who haven’t played so much for their clubs,’ said Strachan. ‘I’m trying to get a shape that can affect Canada, but will also give players like Steven Naismith, Chris Martin, Ikechi Anya, Steven Fletcher — guys who have not had a lot of game time — some match action. I want to know how fit they are.
‘We’ve had people like Alan Hutton, who didn’t play much for his club for a spell then came in and did very well for us every time. But we’ve also had other guys who have done the same as Alan, but came in and really found it a struggle. Not every player can step in without much club football and perform for the national team.’
Having already admitted the obvious, that only victory against the Slovenians will prevent our World Cup campaign from failing with seven months remaining, Strachan is trying very hard to exude confidence ahead of an extremely winnable match.
Asked if he had a team in mind for Sunday, he said: ‘I definitely have in mind what the shape is going to be. I know how we’re going to play. But, no, the team has not been picked. The core might be picked and I know how we’re going to play, but there are still places to be filled.’ Invited to explain his biggest concern ahead of a game with the potential to end his tenure as manager, he said: ‘Getting enough tickets for my kids and the logistics of getting them in to Hampden on time on Sunday. Apart from that, I’m quite relaxed. I am really looking forward to it.’