Scotland v Israel
1 Raiding Robbo
Israel right-back Eli Dasa should be the busiest man at Hampden Park in this game. The Scottish 3-4-3 system is lopsided, with marauding Liverpool hero Andy Robertson at left wing-back supported by Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney on the left of a back three, with Celtic winger Ryan Christie attacking from the same side. As Scotland’s one and only world-class player, Robertson must deliver if the dream of a first major tournament in 22 years is to stay alive.
2 The enemy within
Several members of the Israel camp will be on familiar ground in Glasgow. Three of their current squad – the Celtic pair Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed, plus Hibernian goalkeeper Ofir Marciano – currently ply their trade in the Scottish Premiership, and the insider knowledge they have accrued could be worth its weight in gold. Both sides know each other well: this will be Israel’s second visit to Scotland this Autumn, having drawn 1-1 in September.
3 No damp squibs here
Scotland saw a glimpse of Israel’s attacking talent in their recent meeting. The front two of Eran Zahavi – record scorer for Chinese side Guangzhou R&F – and Hoffenheim’s Munes Dabbur combined superbly to manufacture an equaliser in Glasgow, and there is more talent to back them up. Bullish centreforward Shon Weissman scored 37 goals for Austrian side Wolfsberger last season, while Shakhtar’s tricky winger Manor Solomon is a rising talent.
4
Faults line
Israel’s bigger concerns are off the pitch. Caretaker boss Willi Ruttensteiner – a technical director who was drafted in when previous coach Andreas Herzog departed – has only been in the post since July, and had not patrolled a technical area since two matches in charge of Austria in 2011. He says his priority is to tighten up the back-line and play higher up the pitch, but putting those plans into action will not be easy.
5 Crossing the border
The increasing number of Premier League pros in his squad can only be a positive sign for Scotland manager Steve Clarke. His last squad featured eight players from England’s top flight, while Newcastle United new boy Ryan Fraser should be fit enough to return to contention. The progress of Aston Villa’s John McGinn, recruited from Hibernian in 2018, is evidence that there is talent to be found in the Scottish Premiership.