Scotland Men's Football Team

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Steve Clarke's "message of calmness" can help Scotland triumph in tonight's winner-takes-all World Cup qualifying showdown with Denmark.

That's the verdict of 26-cap right-back Stephen O'Donnell, who played all three Scotland games at Euro 2000 under Clarke.

"I'm excited for a night that could create a lot of history, 27 years, it's been a long, long time," O'Donnell told BBC Radio Scotland.

"You look through Denmark's team, the strength in depth they have of top quality players is maybe a wee bit better than ours, but on any given night we can perform, we can step up, we have enough quality.

"The majority of Clarke's success comes from being calm. After the Belarus game he lost it a wee bit, he got a bit more aggressive, but on the whole he stays calm and consistent which gives the players the message of calmness and allows them to go out and perform the best.

"We have enough quality to cause Denmark problems, it's going be tough but I think we can win and we will be at the World Cup."

Former Rangers striker and Denmark international Peter Løvenkrands, however, believes the pressure is all on Scotland tonight at Hampden.

The Scots need to win to top the group, while a point will suffice for the Danes.

"The game is going to be absolutely electric," said Lovenkrands.

"I always feel like it's Scotland who play themselves down. Look at the teamsheet of Scotland, you've got a Balon d'Or nominee in Scott McTominay, captain of Aston Villa [John McGinn] playing, Andy Robertson of Liverpool.

"You've got top, top players in that team but it always seems to be played down as 'we're the underdogs' even though they've got a fantastic team.

"I'm expecting to Scotland to come guns blazing in the beginning, with the home crowd behind them to try and get an early goal.

"If Denmark gets into the flow and starts playing, creating chances, getting confidence, they could put Scotland on the back foot.

"Scotland has not played particularly well in the qualifiers at all, so I think the pressure is more on Scotland than it is on Denmark to perform tonight and that'll probably play into Denmark's hands."

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"It's losable - but it's most definitely winnable."

It all comes down to this. Scotland stand on the brink of reaching a first World Cup this century.

Victory over Denmark at a packed Hampden tonight will complete the job, ending 27 years of hurt and making legends of Steve Clarke and his players.

Forget that there's a play-off parachute should Scotland fail to win. A nation craves victory - and former midfielder Scott Allan has urged a sharpness in both boxes that wasn't always there in the chaotic 3-2 defeat by Greece in Athens three days ago.

"We will create chances to win the game so it's whether we take them, and that's going to be key," Allan on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"And then ultimately you've got to defend your box well. It's as simple as that. We go through tactics but man for man, player for player, win your individual battles and then when you have moments to show quality you have to show it.

"It's losable - but it's most definitely winnable. There's a good few Scotland players playing at high, high level. They have to be ready for this tonight because we're not going to get a better opportunity and that's why it's so exciting for us.

"It's one of these nights where these [big] players, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Craig Gordon, are going to get the result. I think they are going to produce something for us tonight, I'm saying we're going to do it."

The Danes, of course, could have already wrapped up top spot, but instead head to Hampden on the back of a scarcely-believable 2-2 draw at home to Belarus.

"They could have made this trip to Glasgow a jaunt for them," says Michael Grant, Scottish football correspondent for The Times.

"Instead, they're going to come into this cauldron at Hampden. Now, they may handle it. Italy handled it in 2007 [securing Euro 2008 qualification at Scotland's expense].

"This Danish team is not as strong as that Italy team. We've tended to fail these tests in the past, but it is slightly different. This isn't to earn a play-off, this is to go straight to the World Cup.

"It's a home game against a strong team, but not an elite team. It's not France, Spain or Italy. And they've shown a little bit of vulnerability themselves."

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• Victory for Scotland will mean they qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1998.

• Scotland have lost just one of their past five matches against Denmark, winning three, having lost five in a row beforehand between 1986 and 2004.

• Denmark have lost seven of their nine away matches against Scotland (winning two), including the past three in a row. Their two wins were 1-0 victories in friendlies in March 1998 and August 2002, meaning they have lost all four competitive visits.

• Scotland have won 10 of their past 14 home World Cup qualifiers, including winning six of their past seven, losing just once.

• Denmark have won 10 of their past 11 away World Cup qualifiers, winning seven without conceding a goal, with Scotland being the only side to beat them, 2-0 in November 2021.

• Scotland have scored two or more goals in their past four matches (nine goals), last having a longer run between March and September 2023 when they netted multiple goals in five consecutive Euro 2024 qualifiers.

• Denmark had 35 shots in their 2-2 draw with Belarus on Saturday, their most on record in a competitive international fixture (since 2006) – 11 of them coming in the final 10 minutes.

• Skipper Andy Robertson has created the most chances (10) for Scotland in World Cup 2026 qualification, assisting in his past two. The last player to assist in three straight competitive outings for the Scots was Ryan Fraser between November 2018 and March 2019.

• Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund (with four) is the only player to have scored more goals in Group C of World Cup 2026 qualification than team-mate Mikkel Damsgaard (three), who has scored in three of his past four international appearances after going 25 straight outings without netting.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Denmark head coach Brian Riemer has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's World Cup qualifier with Scotland. The Danes need only a draw to finish top of Group C and qualify for next year's finals.

Here is a summary of what he had to say...

• Asked about a sickness bug within the squad, Riemer explained forward Rasmus Hojlund has travelled with the squad and is feeling well after missing the Belarus game but it is unclear whether he will start or be on the bench.

• Anders Dreyer, though, has stayed at home after feeling unwell when he woke up.

• Riemer described the game as "massive" and said: "I can't imagine anything that could be bigger right now. There's nothing bigger for me and for our team."

• The Denmark head coach and his players respect Scotland but have a lot of self belief.

• Riemer is full of praise for Scotland counterpart Steve Clark, saying: "He has done an amazing job over the last 5-6 years with the team, qualifying for the last two Euros."

• Despite the "bumps" during the qualifying campaign, Denmark will be "fired up" with "great players who start the game" and "great players on the bench".

• Commenting on Saturday's surprise draw with Belarus, the head coach said: "We play for a World Cup ticket tomorrow and what happened in the first game, what happened in the second game and fifth game is completely irrelevant at this stage."

• Riemer says the World Cup is the" big dream for the squad, it's the big target for the team".

• On playing at a full Hampden, the Denmark boss expects a good atmosphere and a fantastic game.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Denmark and Aberdeen goalkeeper Peter Kjaer believes Scotland can make Tuesday's Hampden showdown a "50/50" game if the Danes "don't reach their level".

The teams bring the curtain down on their Group C campaign with leaders Denmark holding a point advantage over the Scots in second.

While a draw would be good enough for the visitors, it is win or bust for Steve Clarke's men in terms of automatic World Cup qualification.

Ex-Aberdeen keeper Kjaer told BBC Scotland: "I am quite confident, but I have to say it is a game with two different teams - a skilful passing team against a team playing with heart, and that is Scotland.

"It is always difficult to even plan against a team who play with their hearts because you cannot know how they will play, the only thing you know is they will come with all they have inside and that is a difficult task.

"If Denmark reach their level, they are the better team football-wise. But if it comes to a battle and Scotland make it difficult for Denmark to play their normal game, then it is 50/50."

Both teams know they are guaranteed a place in the qualification play-offs if it doesn't go their way at Hampden.

Despite losing 3-2 in Greece on Saturday, Scotland's hopes of winning the group were kept alive by Denmark's surprise 2-2 draw with Belarus in Copenhagen.

Kjaer added: "All the Danish players, apart from the coach to be fair, said before the game: 'If we don't beat Belarus, we are not good enough to go to the World Cup'.

"The fans booed the team off which is very unusual here in Denmark. I still see (Denmark) as favourites, but Belarus had five minutes and scored two goals. Of course Scotland can do the same."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has addressed the media before Tuesday's decisive World Cup qualifier with Denmark. A win for the Scots will secure qualification to a men's World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Here's a flavour of what Clarke had to say...

• Team news: Billy Gilmour hasn't made it, he's still struggling with an injury but everyone else is fit.

• Clarke does not see Tuesday as a second opportunity after Denmark's slip-up against Belarus, saying he views this as "the first opportunity". "We've got 10 points, Denmark have got 11," he said and views getting the group down to the final game as "an achievement".

• The team will "need" the crowd behind them - "if we all work together, we can make it a great night for the country".

• Scotland "will have to get the balance right" and can't go all out attack.

• Clarke believes Denmark will come to Hampden looking to "make amends for their slip-up the other night" and will have belief.

• The Danes "are a good side, habitual qualifiers" and know what to do in a game like this.

• Clarke, who almost made to a World Cup as a player, feels "pretty calm despite the magnitude of the game", and "trusts" his players.

• The head coach believes his squad have shown they know how to qualify for tournaments, so "let's qualify for another one".

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World Cup qualification could be "written for Scotland" given the way their campaign has played out, says former midfielder Don Cowie.

Steve Clarke's side have been unconvincing throughout their qualifiers but still face a winner-takes-all showdown with Denmark on Tuesday.

A victory in that monumental game at Hampden will take the Scots to their first World Cup since 1998.

Defeat in Greece on Saturday looked certain to ruin Scotland's hopes of automatic qualification, but a shock draw between Denmark and Belarus has kept the Tartan Army's dream alive.

And in the days since, reports have emerged that there is a virus in the Danes' camp in the lead-up to a huge match in Glasgow.

"I believe we can win the game," ex-Scotland midfielder Cowie said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "Maybe it's written for us with the way the results have played out.

"It's been a long wait to get to a World Cup. I remember it myself the last time, a 15-year-old, the excitement it brought to me individually and to the country.

"It's just a massive occasion on Tuesday. Despite the result [against Greece], I think there's a lot of positivity to take from it with just the opportunities we created.

"Hampden's going to be absolutely buzzing. The atmosphere is going to be incredible because we're so close and I genuinely believe we can get the job done."

But how should head coach Clarke approach the game?

Discussing his potential team selection, former Scotland winger Pat Nevin added: "There are a lot of tough decisions to make. You've got decisions to make at centre-back - I think [John Souttar] has got to start.

"OK, you can have difficult times, but he's been great for us. He's also got a big decision to make at centre-forward because Che [Adams] missed those chances on Saturday.

"But, boy, did he work hard and hold the ball up brilliantly as the game went on. I think he had a superb game, but all people will remember are those chances."

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Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon reckons the spirit and quality shown in the second half against Greece needs to be replicated if the Scots are to topple Denmark.

Despite going down 3-2, Steve Clarke's side threatened to come back from a three-goal deficit and created multiple chances on a frustrating night.

Instead, it was Denmark's draw with Belarus which gave them a World Cup lifeline and keeping Tuesday's Danish visit to Hampden alive.

"We're just overall happy with the way we played the last 20 minutes," said Gordon.

"We're really trying to focus on the positives and take that into Tuesday, if we can take that level to Denmark, we'll give ourselves a good chance.

"The way we played in the last 20 minutes, that's the best we've played for a few games now.

"We kind of rediscovered that in the last 20 minutes, which was nice to know that's still in there.

"We're still a really good team when we play like that. The feeling from that point of view is good that we can take that into Tuesday."

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Aaron Hickey says there is enough confidence to be taken from Saturday's "frustrating" 3-2 defeat against Greece to topple Denmark and reach the World Cup.

A win against the Danes would ensure Scotland qualify for their first men's World Cup since 1998, and Brentford right-back Hickey insists Scotland are a "good team" and can take positives from their defeat against Greece.

"We just started poorly. Sometimes that happens in football, it doesn't go your way and you have to just dig in throughout the game," said the 23-year-old.

"It was frustrating, we knew we just had to get in at half-time and sort a few things out.

"In the second half, once you start to build momentum towards the end of the first half, take that into the second half and we managed to do that. We were unlucky to concede the goals.

"As you can see, when we build momentum, we're a good team. We just need to take that confidence and just roll with that."

Hickey was substituted off for Anthony Ralston for the last 15 minutes and says it was "for sure" harder being off the pitch than on it.

"Off the pitch, for sure, just having to wait and see, when you're on the pitch, you're just focussing on the game," he added.

"We were a bit disappointed with ourselves when we played, but we know we've got another game on Tuesday, a massive chance, so we just need to keep our heads up. There's no point in sulking.

"Keep positive and just try and do our best. We need to start the match better, right from the first whistle to the end and just give it everything."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 3-2 defeat against Greece. Here's what some of you said:

Justin: We cannot expect to win games with the mistakes we made against Greece and then add the chances we didn't take but nonetheless it's irrelevant, come on Scotland. The whole country is behind you.

Robert: Thank heaven for Craig Gordon, we didn't take many golden opportunities, defence wasn't good and why does it take so long for Steve Clarke to make substitutions? Why in the last minute did he send Gordon back? 3-2 or 4-2 would make no difference.

Chris: Game of two halves. Our horrendous recent performances continued and Greece should have been out of sight. Woeful defensive errors. Second half, we were much better but the substitutes we needed so much sooner. Che Adams cannot start against Denmark.

Lindsey: Our weakest area is in defence and that ultimately is why we struggle. If the midfield (hopefully with a fit Billy Gilmour) can control the play and direct it out wide, we have the capability to play to our strengths. We need to apply a positive mentality and get our best players on the ball. Tuesday is huge, sneak a win and it's job done. Lose and I don't see us going beyond any play-offs.

David: Let's forget about that first half. Who we were in that second half, that's the only team that should be showing up on Tuesday. Nothing less. If we show up with that second half, "go and make our own destiny" attitude, instead of sitting back and playing silly passes along the back line, we'll go to the World Cup. Anything less, and we're toast. Let's go, we'll do it.

Brian: It was a great second-half performance, when we play like that I almost believe we're not a bad side, it was a very good performance and we were unfortunate in the opposition 18-yard box. The best performance I have witnessed in years.