Just who is going to get the goals for Eck?
OLI MCBURNIE (Swansea City) CAPS – 6. GOALS – 0. SUCCESS RATE – 0%.
PROS – As an emerging talent at both club and international level, the 22-year-old would be the most-convenient solution, for the long term as well as for the here and now.
A brace for his club in their 2-0 win over Reading last weekend pays testimony to his current form.
His participation in the summer trip to Mexico and Peru underlined his commitment to the cause at a time when call-offs are becoming a frequent occurrence.
CONS – While Mcburnie has impressed at all age levels for Scotland, question marks still remain about his ability to cut it in the senior side. He was denied by the woodwork in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City where he did well enough.
In the more recent friendly against an admittedly impressive Portugal, he made little headway in the 75 minutes he was on the pitch, and it was no surprise when he was substituted.
STEVEN FLETCHER (Sheffield Wednesday)
CAPS – 31. GOALS – 9. SUCCESS RATE – 29%.
PROS – Very much a known quantity, the 31-year-old could b e counted on to provide a classic number 9 option up front. His powerful physique allows him to hold the ball when Scotland are in possession. Without the ball, he is adept at making a nuisance of himself for opposition defences.
His club form isn’t bad either, and he has scored three time in his last seven Championship appearances.
CONS – The man who commanded a transfer fee of £12-million when Wolves sold him to Sunderland has been out of the Scotland picture for a reason.
He was shelved off the back of successive failed qualifying campaigns, and it is telling that six of his nine goals in a Scotland shirt were scored against part-timers, Gibraltar.
JOHNNY RUSSELL (Sporting Kansas City)
CAPS – 8 GOALS – 0. SUCCESS RATE – 0%.
PROS – Is already very much already on the premises, having started in both Nations League ties against Albania and Israel. And while he has been deployed on the right wing, he has played through the middle in the past at club level and thrived in the position.
Alex Mcleish is a fan of his enthusiasm, energy and game intelligence. All three qualities could prove invaluable in the big tests ahead.
CONS – As moving players around the park is not ideal, the manager may prefer to keep Russell on the flank as support for whoever he brings in.
And while he links up well on the ground, his lack of height means he can’t be considered an aerial threat.
The fact he has still to score for the senior side is also something of a negative, as decent as his performances have been.
MATT PHILLIPS (West Brom) CAPS – 12 GOALS – 1. SUCCESS RATE – 8%.
PROS – Has been in this movie before and lived up to his star billing. Used as an emergency centre forward in the friendly away to Hungary, he scored the winner. Has the physique to hold the ball up with his back to the goal, and is pacey as well.
CONS – While Phillips started the season in red-hot form for his club, he is only just got back into action after spending a month out with a muscle strain.
Even allowing for the view that forwards tend to blow hot and cold, he is a bit inconsistent and has admitted to struggling with self-confidence at times.
JORDAN RHODES (Norwich City) CAPS – 14. GOALS – 3. SUCCESS RATE – 21%.
PROS – As an out-and-out finisher with a knack for getting in the right place at the right time, it would be a brave man who would bet against him scoring if he was given a surprise call-up.
He is also strong, good in the air and, at 28, at the peak of his career.
CONS – Hasn’t played for the country for six years, when even his goals against Australia and Luxembourg weren’t enough to keep him in the side.
If he was adjudged as not up to standard then – and he is only at current club Norwich City on a loan from Sheffield Wednesday – it is tough to see what would have changed.
OLIVER BURKE (West Brom) CAPS – 5 GOALS – 0. SUCCESS RATE – 0%.
PROS – Standing at
6ft 2in, with the shoulders of a rugby forward, Burke has the kind of physical profile Scottish football fans aren’t accustomed to.
He is quick and has explosive ability that teams salivate over. Indeed, West Brom paid Red Bull Leipzig £15m for him just last year.
CONS – The “Scottish Gareth Bale” tag did Burke no favours whatsoever. There is no fair comparison to be made between the Scot and Real Madrid superstar. Temperament has been an issue. He was unable to sustain his place in the senior side when drafted in as a young player, and was unsettled on stepping down to the Under-21s.