‘We have just been preparing for the game to go ahead’
Armstrong insists Scotland never took eye off the ball ahead of Czech encounter
IT may be a shock to some that tonight’s Nations League clash between Scotland and the Czech Republic is still going ahead as planned. The Czechs made it public that they wanted the match abandoned after West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and Roma striker Patrik Schick were ordered into self-isolation after coming into contact with a backroom staff member who tested positive for coronavirus last week.
European football governing body UEFA then insisted that the game would go ahead and the Czech FA have since revealed that they will have “new players and staff members” representing their country come kick-off at the Andruv Stadion tonight.
In unfamiliar circumstances, Scotland are preparing to take on a new-look Czech side for whom they have very little details to go on.
But attacking midfielder Stuart Armstrong says despite the unique challenge facing him and his team-mates, he would have been more shocked if the game had been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We heard the news on the way back from the game,” Armstrong said. “There was a bit of talk amongst the boys. It was a bit confusing at first but it was cleared up on Saturday morning.
“There was a bit of uncertainty after the Israel game but it was all cleared up pretty quickly after that and it was business as usual and we carried on as normal from the Saturday morning, as we prepared for the game.
“It would have been more surprising if the game hadn’t gone ahead. We were all preparing for the game, especially with the ruling around the situation. The expectation from us was the game would go ahead and that is how we have approached it.”
Reports have suggested that Scotland will be taking on a drastically weakened Czech side, with a large portion of their squad expected to be handed their first international cap.
Asked if this piles the pressure on Steve Clarke and his Scots team, Armstrong continued: “With any game, there is always pressure and expectation and we have grown accustomed to that over the years.
“This is no exception although we are in a very unusual circumstance with the Czech team having to change most if not all of their squad. I don’t think anyone has seen anything like that before.
“We will prepare the game to the best of our capabilities and whatever team they field I am sure it will be a good one, if maybe slightly less experienced.
“We will be looking to go into the game with optimism and looking to take as much away from it as possible.”
Armstrong, 28, was utilised from the bench as Scotland kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a
1-1 draw against Israel at Hampden on Friday night.
And after watching from the stands for the best part of the match, the former Celtic midfielder believes Clarke’s new-look shape could pave the way for a successful campaign for the national side.
He added: “Obviously when you come to international football, you’ve got a lot of individual players moulded together. And, when there’s a new shape, sometimes it takes time to become accustomed to that style of play.
“I think for parts of the Israel game we moved the ball quite well. You would like to see some more chances created but stability-wise we were good. We controlled parts of the game.
“Just building on that performance, creating a few more chances, we’re certainly heading in the right direction.”
Lyndon Dykes led the line for Scotland on Friday and he impressed on his debut with a number of nice touches at the top end of the park.
Southampton midfielder Armstrong believes the Queens Park Rangers and former Livi man could be key for forward runners like himself in the Scottish midfield.
“I was very impressed with him and his performance.
He’s a great target man,” Armstrong explained.
“He held the ball in well, pins defenders.
“I don’t think centre-backs like playing against him because he has that physical presence – and he really links up the play well. Getting people around him is a key for us, going forward.”
Another player who impressed Armstrong was old Celtic team-mate and fellow Invernessian Ryan Christie.
Hailing his former midfield partner, he said: “I’ve known Ryan [pictured] a long time, having been at Celtic together.
I don’t think anyone has seen anything like that before
And you can see his quality every day in training.
“Especially in these last couple of seasons, he’s taken it to another level with Celtic and has been fantastic.
“Even in the European games, he excels. He has so much energy. His technique is spot-on, especially his first touch at speed – that’s incredible.
“He just poses that attacking threat that every player likes to have. He’s a great player to have in our team.”