Coach is sure stricken Scots can come good

JAMES McFADDEN is confident a depleted Scotland squad can summon the firepower needed to salvage their Nations League hopes. Shorn of Steven Naismith and Leigh Griffiths through injury, Alex McLeish’s call-off hit pool contains only four players who have as yet scored for their country. Steven Fletcher has nine goals — six of which came against Gibraltar — with captain Andy Robertson, Matt Phillips and Stuart Armstrong managing four between them. Scotland coach McFadden recognises a need for more goals from midfield, but feels there is no shortage of potential scorers prior to Saturday’s mission in Albania. ‘You’re looking at John McGinn, 13 caps, James Forrest, 24 caps, and the rest are in single figures,’ argued McFadden. ‘It does need to change. We have to have goals all areas of the pitch. It’s the ideal opportunity for guys to come in and score. ‘Forrest has a few recently, Ryan Christie, Ryan Fraser’s scoring. Gary MackaySteven, John McGinn’s scoring, Callum Paterson’s scoring, so we’re not asking them to do something they can’t. ‘Steven Naismith and Leigh Griffiths are big losses. There’s nothing we can do. ‘Steven Fletcher brings experience and Johnny Russell’s been scoring goals in the MLS. Oli McBurnie’s having a good season at Swansea. It’s a strong group.’ Scotland will work at the Oriam training centre this week before flying to Albania on Friday for the first of two games that will determine if a Euro 2020 play-off is secured. McLeish’s men then face Israel at Hampden next Tuesday. McFadden insists the coaching staff are determined to dispel memories of last month’s grim 2-1 defeat in Haifa. ‘It was disappointing in Israel,’ he added. ‘We’re not hiding from that. It wasn’t good enough. But the players showed a response in the Portugal game, even though we lost. ‘It wasn’t a sell-out but I felt the crowd were there to support us which helped the players. If they know that, it helps them.’