LET’S SOUND THE BIRTH OF AN ERA
McLeish prays for a Nations League win to kickstart his reign and reignite the fans
IN THE long term, a new granddaughter will increase the noise levels surrounding Alex McLeish. In the short term, Scotland’s manager wants to replicate the sound, passion and joy of baby Rosie in his place of work.
The national team face Israel in a crucial Nations League qualifier at Hampden tonight with the SFA predicting a crowd of just over 20,000. In contrast with the latest addition to the McLeish clan, the Tartan Army need more than a cuddle to pacify their anxieties.
A 4-0 win in Albania might convince some that it’s too soon to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Despite a tantalising opportunity to reach a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final with victory tonight, a Tuesday night game in November remains a hard sell to a support drawn from outside Glasgow and yet to be convinced the national team are heading in the right direction.
In recent days, McLeish has issued enough rallying calls for unity to secure the task of saving Brexit.
‘Does having more fans and loud fans give you a bit of extra energy?’ pondered Scotland’s manager yesterday.
‘Yes, of course it does. And we would love to see that at Hampden because Hampden needs it.
‘We have just won the fight to keep it — and now we have to win the fight to fill it again.’
The reasons Scotland play unappealing qualifiers on a Monday and Tuesday are not hard to find. At Hampden yesterday, Premiership clubs gathered to hear the latest on the next SPFL television deal and supporters have to accept a stark fact of life.
Be it the SPFL, SFA or UEFA, the schedules of wealthy broadcasters take priority over kick-off times for fans every time.
It’s not impossible to draw a crowd to a midweek Scotland game. It used to happen routinely. But that was when the national team qualified for major international tournaments and people felt they were still worth the effort. Two decades since France ’98, the second coming of McLeish has yet to deliver anything tangible or consistent. Beating Israel to secure top spot in a three-team group and a guaranteed place in the League C qualification semifinals for Euro 2020 could begin to shift perceptions.
‘It’s a step forward definitely,’ says McLeish.
‘We want to qualify for everything put before us and this is a qualification opportunity.
‘I think it’s normal that fans would come back if we could get consistency of results and win games.
‘I’m very confident about the outcome if the players perform to the levels of the other night in Albania.
‘It’s not in their control who comes to the game.’
A draw would suit Israel fine, allowing them to top the group and nudge Scotland into second place because of their victory in Haifa. Yet a scenario where Scotland can reach the next stage with a home win over notoriously poor travellers offers an opportunity for the national team to take a significant step forward.
If Scotland are to secure a return to a major international tournament this, surely, is a great chance.
‘Yes the Nations League could give us a great boost,’ said McLeish. ‘But the biggest boost of all is from good performances and positive results.
‘There is no doubt it would be an achievement. Look at England winning and the way they celebrated.
‘So, of course we have to embrace this and we will be going all out to win it tomorrow night.’
Glasgow is one of 13 host cities for the Euro 2020 finals, Hampden the venue for four games. The inability to qualify for a tournament taking place on the nation’s doorstep would be a savage new way for Scottish football to fail.
‘That would be a bit sore,’ acknowledges McLeish, ‘so let’s focus on the positives. Get behind these guys and make sure they perform to the levels they can.
‘They have come off the back of a good performance with great confidence and, I emphasise, I can see it in their stature at the moment. The way they are walking about.
‘When you talk to them individually, they are all absolutely 100-per-cent keen to do something for their country.’
Entering the Albania game on the back of nine call-offs, the absentees proved a blessing in the end.
McLeish dismisses the suggestion he stumbled upon a good team or a better system.
A 4-3-3 formation with James Forrest and Ryan Fraser operating on either side of Steven Fletcher was always in his mind.
A surprising omission from some Scotland games, Forrest marked his selection with two goals, the second as good a goal as the national team have scored in years.
‘It is great to see him getting his first goals for Scotland,’ said McLeish of the Celtic winger.
‘I am glad to see that guys have picked up the mantle and said: “Well, there’s some players missing, here’s a chance, an opportunity for us to make a mark, make an impression”.
‘It only takes a minute, a second even, for things to change. That is exactly what has happened with James on Saturday night.’
McLeish seems certain to go with the same attacking line-up tonight. Needing a single point, Israel could be a tough nut to crack.
‘They have been very positive and very strong going forward with the ball. Whether they will come here and sit in, we have to wait and see,’ said McLeish.
The days of the Hampden roar have gone. Like a modern day PT Barnum, however, McLeish will never stop banging the drum. Whatever the reservations of the paying customer, the manager believes his players have it in them to be the Greatest Showmen.
‘I met guys at the airport the other night and I told them: “Bring your pals. Phone all your pals and get them to come and be the 12th man”.
‘I don’t know if it’s the Nations League. But certainly we have given the nation a boost the other night.’