Talking points

Can Scotland get the win they need?

After taking eight points from six Group F games there is now no margin for error. Gordon Strachan’s side need six points from these two upcoming fixtures to keep qualification hopes alive. The Scots are unbeaten in their last two competitive games so they will go in with confidence but also knowing the ramifications of a defeat or even a draw.

Keeping an eye on Slovakia v Slovenia result

Scotland need all the help they can get and while they will be doing their best to get all three points in Vilnius, second-placed Slovakia will be taking on third-placed Slovenia. Perhaps a draw would be the best result for Strachan’s side.

How many Celtic players will Strachan utilise?

Once again the champions of Scotland have six players in the squad. Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong and Leigh Griffiths all played in the 2-2 draw with England at Hampden in June, with James Forrest on the bench. Celtic are unbeaten domestically for over a year and the players will be further boosted by making the group stages of the Champions League for the second successive season. Strachan will surely want to tap into that winning mentality as much as possible so expect at least five Hoops players to be in the line-up.

Midfielders under pressure to perform after McGregor snub?

There were some eyebrows raised when Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor was omitted by Strachan. And there was still no place for him when Tom Cairney withdrew as he was overlooked for James Morrison. The 24-year-old former Parkhead youth player has been in one squad previously, but is still looking for that elusive cap. Thus, Scotland’s midfield, regardless of whom it contains, will come in for added scrutiny.

How will the 4G surface at the LFF Stadium affect the Scots?

Scotland will play their first full international match on an artificial surface – the same one on which St Johnstone crashed out of the Europa League against FK Trakai a couple of months ago. Strachan said: “I don’t think it will be too big a problem because we’ll know what it’s all about.” Skipper Scott Brown, however, is not a fan of artificial surfaces – “we’ll deal with what we have to deal with” – while Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie admitted he had never played a competitive game on an artificial surface.