FOCUS ON KAZAKHSTAN

Scotland face Kazakhstan for the first time ever when they kick off their European Championship qualifying campaign this afternoon in Nursultan, the newlyrenamed capital of the vast Asian country.

Here is some background on their opponents.

MANAGER

Kazakhstan head coach Michal Bilek came out on the winning side in one of Scotland’s most disappointing nights in recent years, when he led his native Czech Republic to a 1-0 victory in Prague in 2010.

The game was best remembered for Craig Levein’s 4-6-0 formation but Bilek, pictured, knows to expect a more attacking Scotland side this time round, noting their pace and danger from out wide during his prematch media conference.

The 53-year-old is taking charge of his first game, having taken over in January.

FORM

Kazakhstan finished second in Nations League Group D1 but were 10 points behind Georgia after collecting six points from six matches.

They finished bottom of their World Cup 2018 qualifying group with three points and no wins, and were second bottom of their Euro 2016 group with five points.

Kazakhstan can only claim three victories from their last 40 competitive matches – against Andorra, Latvia and the Faroe Islands.

TOP TALENT

Kazakhstan suffered a major blow when key dangerman Bauyrzhan Islamkhan dropped out injured.

The midfielder, pictured below, has caused damage to Scottish football in the past, netting a sensational long-range strike against Aberdeen in a Europa League win for his Kairat Almaty side in 2015.

The most experienced player in their current squad, Astana centre-back Yuriy Logvinenko, has also withdrawn.

Boss Bilek will be hoping to add some inspiration in the form of former AC Milan and Watford midfielder Alexander Merkel.

The former German youth international, who now plays for Heracles in the Netherlands, has only played once for his native country but is back in the fold after a three-year absence.