Scotland wishes to shape its own destiny before the crucial qualifications of the World Cup
Scotland’s deputy coach Steven Naismith said the national team was not targeting anything less than this month’s games while seeking to take control of their World Cup qualification campaign.
Having reached a World Cup for the last time in 1998, the Scottses seek to end more than a quarter of a century of absence from the largest scene in football.
They welcome Greece Thursday before welcoming the Bélarus to Hampden Park on Sunday.
After taking four points from their first two games in group C, Naismith insists that Scotland is well placed to continue and ensure that their fate remains “in our own hands”.
“The transition to major tournaments, that is to say massifs,” said the former Scottish striker, who won 51 selections for his country.
“That we managed to do two euros, to go to the playoffs for the previous World Cup and to miss a little – all this builds a determination, an anger not to make the last World Cup.”
The last two qualifications for the Steve Clarke team will come in November – in Greece, then at home in Denmark – and Naismith says that the team’s belief is stronger than ever.
“” “Knowing that you can get there, everything feeds, everything feeds on players and individuals who progress in their clubs. Certainly confidence is as high as I have seen.
“In the first camp, we did a lot of good work. This camp, we must continue to make sure that we are in this position in November so that we are really confident that it is in our own hands and we think we can do it. ”
The 37 -year -old man also praised the depth and physical form through the team, noting how the current group has matured during recent qualification campaigns.
“I don’t think we were in a better place in terms of players who have minutes,” he said. “For an example of where they are, look at Aaron Hickey, who comes back from what was a hot couple and looks like a different animal.
“You have John McGinn, Robbo (Andy Robertson) who directs him and they had a real success at the club level. So, in everything related to performance, we are in an ideal place.”
Learn from the defeat of Greece
Thursday’s meeting with Greece comes with an additional motivation layer.
Earlier this year, the Greeks gave Scotland a 3-0 defeat to Hampden Park, a result that relegated Clarke’s men to the second level of the League of Nations.
Naismith admits the memory of this loss still stings – but thinks they have reinforced the determination of the team.
“We have a clear idea of what to be better, what we are really good as a team,” he said.
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