Format is our best chance to end the drought
Stuart Armstrong says the Nations League could just be Scotland’s best chance of qualifying for Euro 2020.
And as he looked ahead to next month’s trip to Israel and the campaign to come, the Southampton midfielder has urged fans to help the country embrace the opportunity it offers. “I think everyone was confused by the format, but people are grasping it now and see it’s a real chance to get to the Euros which is great for us,” he said.
“There are only three teams in our little group and we have taken matters into our own hands straight away by beating Albania to pick up three points.
“Not only that, we have also managed to produce an accomplished, mature performance. “Some people might talk about a nervous first half but, as a player, I didn’t really get that feeling.
“We were probing and getting more and more chances. The dominance was there – it was just about getting that goal, which, of course, we did.
“Given they beat Israel before coming to face us you would have to think it gives us a really good chance to get the play-off spot which could then lead to the Euros themselves.
“So there really is a lot at stake in the Nations League ties. You could see that against Albania. “It was a very competitive game, people were flying in and desperate to make the most if it.
“I’d hope the supporters will get right into it, too, in time for the Israel game. “We have to play our part in terms of getting their backing, as it takes wins and good performances to generate crowds.
“If we can deliver them, people will then want to come and see us.”
Thanks to the victory at Hampden last Monday, Scotland’s situation is clearer.
Win the home game to Israel and avoid defeat in both away fixtures and they will top the group. They would then only need to beat two similarly-ranked countries in the one-legged play off semifinal and final, to bring the 20-year wait to qualify for a major tourney to an end.
“You don’t want to write off what can happen in the later qualifiers – it can get difficult towards the end of these things – but it’s a great pathway,” said the 26-year-old. While Armstrong plays his football in the English Premier League now, he feels at home when joining up with his fellow pros for Scotland duty.
“It is a familiar squad for me,” he said.
“We have the Dundee United boys like John Souttar and Johnny Russell and it is nice to roll back the years and share some nice memories with them.
“You’ve also got the Celtic boys, too, plus the others who have been around the squad over the years. It really is a nice bunch. “It would be great togo to the Euros with them, but we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”