DON’T SPOIL THE MOMENT
Strachan warns Griffiths to ensure any goal celebrations don’t come with costly booking
GORDON STRACHAN last night admitted that he will warn striker Leigh Griffiths not to earn a silly booking if he scores the goal that puts Scotland into a World Cup play-off.
The Scots have made a habit of scoring late on the road to Russia 2018 and, up against a Slovenian defence that has not conceded at home across the entire campaign, Strachan admits he may have to wait until the very last kick of tonight’s final Group F qualifier in Ljubljana for a breakthrough.
Griffiths has become indispensable, scoring three goals in the campaign, but the Celtic striker is also one of six squad members who enter tonight’s game on a yellow card and at risk of a suspension. The 27-year-old has shown a tendency to over-celebrate in the past and will be warned to rein it in he finds the net at the Stozice Stadium.
‘That is something I’ll have a conversation with him about,’ said Strachan. ‘I’ll need to have a word. But his performances of late have been terrific. He was magnificent the other night against Slovakia.
‘His part in the goal was unbelievable. You see the way he stretched to get to the ball just to poke it through to Ikechi Anya. That toe poke won us the game.’
A win tonight will be enough to confirm Scotland’s place in the play-off. Following the 89th-minute winner against the Slovaks on Thursday, Strachan has seen enough from his players to believe they will fight to the very end.
‘People talk about mental strength but you have to have the physical strength to keep that going. Our players have shown they have that in their locker. The fans know we have it as well.’