Next two games key to Qatar bid – Dodds

Former Dundee and Dundee United striker Billy Dodds insists a draw in Austria tonight would leave Scotland in a strong position to seal a World Cup play-off spot.

Steve Clarke’s side head to Vienna in third place in Group F with Israel two points better off in second after they stunned the Austrians with a 5-2 victory at the weekend.

Inverness Caley Thistle boss

Dodds is banking on runaway leaders Denmark maintaining their flawless record in the section with a win over Israel tonight.

Israel are Scotland’s next opponents on October 9 at Hampden before the country wrap up the group against the Faroe Islands, Moldova and Denmark.

But Dodds insists Scotland’s hopes of earning second place come down to the next two games.

He said: “It’s such an important game now, especially with Israel beating them and we have Israel to play.

“It was not a great performance against Moldova but it was a big result considering what we’re faced with and I think Israel’s result in beating Austria is quite good for us.

“I’m not writing off Israel, absolutely not, but I get the feeling if we play at our best – and Israel are a really good team as we know – that we could beat

Israel if required. But we need a result in Austria, we need to get something there though and that’s a big one as well. We have some big games coming up.”

Former Dundee boss Neil McCann, meanwhile, insists Scotland will never mix it with the top football nations unless they start taking their chances.

Clarke’s side have been wasteful in front of goal in recent times, netting just twice in their last five matches.

McCann, who scored three times in 26 international outings, admits some of the build-up play has been a positive.

The former Rangers and Hearts winger said: “I think when you’re creating chances that is important. But you can’t keep saying, ‘it’s OK, we’re creating chances’.

“For us to become a really, really good side, where you’re going to major countries and taking scalps, you have to take those chances.”