SCOTLAND v SLOVENIA LET’S GET
Hutch: Strachan should go for it by pairing Griffiths and Rhodes up front
Don Hutchison has urged Gordon Strachan to go for broke at Hampden and unleash two strikers on Slovenia in tonight’s mustwin World Cup qualifier.
And the former Scotland hero reckons Leigh Griffiths and Jordan Rhodes could be the deadly duo to gun down their Group F rivals and breathe life into the stuttering Russia 2108 campaign.
Strachan threw the front pair on for the final half hour of the dismal 1-1 friendly draw against Canada at Easter Road and admitted the decision over who plays in attack tonight is the biggest of his international management career.
The Scotland boss has options with Steven Fletcher, Chris Martin and Steven Naismith having all previously played the lone striker role in Strachan’s preferred system.
Griffiths is set to get the nod but Hutchison wants to see a two-pronged attack at some point in a game where three points are needed to keep the World Cup dream alive.
The 45-year-old former frontman is a huge admirer of Celtic goal-grabber Griffiths and has watched £10million hitman Rhodes at close quarters for Middlesbrough before his loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday.
Hutchison said: “I’m not one for playing lone strikers – especially in a must-win game. Why not go with a couple and try and change the formation, change the shape and be a little bit more aggressive?
“Gordon finished the Canada game with Leigh and Jordan so why not go for broke and stick them both up top?
“I’m not so sure why Leigh doesn’t get a start as he seems to bang them in the goals and looks like a born scorer, a typical No.9.
“Granted, I haven’t seen loads of Gri f f iths but I have always been impressed when I have watched him play. His movement is good, he always makes little angled runs and if I was playing central midfield behind him then he’s a striker I’d want to play with.
“I’ve seen a bit of Jordan and he’s a goalscorer again.
“He’s a good finisher and only needs one or two chances per game, although it’s a different task when you’re playing at international level.
“But Rhodes definitely looks like he can handle it.
“He has gone for a couple of big-money moves in England so it looks like his temperament is OK.
“Gordon will have done his homework. He has options but he’s right when he says he has to get this one right because it’s a must-win.
“I watched a lot of Steven Fletcher when he was at Sunderland and he is an option, especially if you’re playing a lone striker which might not suit Griffiths and Rhodes as much. But as I said I’m not a fan of that.
“Gordon will try to feel his way into the game and it might take an hour before we do have two strikers up front but it’s a game we can’t afford to even draw so let’s go for it.
“I trust Gordon to make the right call on the striker.
“I know him quite well. He’s going through a little bit of a tough time but I’m confident he will get it right when it matters.”
Hutchison was born in England but always had his heart set on representing Scotland, qualifying through his dad who was from Nairn, only to make his debut at the start of our years in the international wilderness.
The former Everton and West Ham star made his debut in a Euro 2000 qualifying defeat to the Czech Republic at Celtic Park back in March 1999 which came eight months after the World Cup in France.
Scotland haven’t been back to a major tournament since but Hutchison at least scored memorable winning goals away to Germany in a friendly and England at Wembley in the second leg of the aggregate play- off defeat to the Auld Enemy.
He still believes Strachan is the man to take the nation forward but knows the gaffer desperately needs those players currently in the squad to step up and be counted. He could also do with the country producing a bigger stream of talent.
Hutchison said: “It’s nearly 20 years since we qualified for a tournament so it’s getting to that point where everyone has to do more, from the players to the coaches producing talent for him to choose from.
“There was a little bit of an experiment against Canada that didn’t go down too well in terms of the result but I’m sure the plan was always to look forward to the Slovenia game.
“I hope it works out for Gordon. I nearly signed for him when he was Coventry manager.
“I met him a few times and I’ve worked with him lots of time in the media.
I know he’s a good guy and he’s certainly doing his best for Scotland.”