Looks like we’re now playing for second place
Scotland took five points from their opening three games of the 2022 World Cup qualifying section.
Some people think that’s a decent start. Others are disappointed we don’t have at least seven points on the board.
You can spin it to suit your particular argument.
My view is that we are now probably going to have to fight it out for second place.
Denmark look very strong and, understandably, are clear favourites to win the section.
It means that the results in the next round of ties – away to Austria and against Israel and Denmark at Hampden – will be absolutely crucial.
For now, we are gearing towards the Euro Finals in the summer.
The 4-0 win against the Faroe Islands was very pleasing. I thought we played with great freedom, and the lads had wave
after wave of attacks.
The goals we scored were very good, and it was nice to see Che Adams get his international account up and running. That will do him the world of good.
We also have to recognise the importance of Craig Gordon’s save when we were only 1-0 ahead. It was of the highest quality, and came at a vital stage.
It shows that Steve Clarke has real competition in the goalkeeping area of the squad with Craig and David Marshall, and that is a positive.
Steve now has six or seven weeks to finalise his squad. There will be some massive calls for him to make, and some lads will be disappointed at being left out.
That is the unpleasant side of management because nobody wants to see any footballer unhappy.
But Steve will pick every player for the right reasons, and will look at everything from ability to personality in the group.
When the squad is announced, it’s up to the nation to get behind the manager and every single player for the pre-tournament friendlies and the group games against the Czech Republic, England and Croatia.