Scotland have been drawn against Greece in the Nations League play-offs as they look to retain their place in Group A.
Steve Clarke's side will play the first leg in Athens on March 20, 2025 before hosting the decisive leg at Hampden Park three days later.
Scotland avoided automatic relegation from the top tier when Andy Robertson headed an injury-time winner against Poland on Monday.
It will be a tough test against Greece, who finished just behind Group B winners England on goal difference, although the Three Lions won 3-0 in Athens.
Greece defeated Ireland and Finland home and away, recording an impressive 2-1 victory over England at Wembley.
Nations League A/B play-offs
Greece vs Scotland
Turkey vs Hungary
Ukraine vs Belgium
Austria vs Serbia
Naismith: Clarke best person for Scotland
Former Scotland striker Steven Naismith on Sky Sports News:
“I don't think the criticism after the European Championship was welcome. I don't think it was justified.
“There is disappointment, but since the manager arrived the trajectory has always been an upward curve.
“There will be little dips and there will be moments of transition. I think we have gone through that, but the one thing – knowing him well – is that his focus, his determination, his understanding of international football and his understanding of moments are crucial have been.
I think he is the best person for us to be the leader, to continue this journey and I think we have to appreciate how good it has been.
“This next group and those coming into the squad will grow, and I'm sure he will have his sights set on that World Cup spot.
“It's always going to be difficult going to the top-placed groups, their level is going up and, as the manager has said in the past, the consistency and the more you are there, the more comfortable you feel with it.
“So I think overall it will be a successful kind of group. A difficult start, but the performance was reasonable.
“I don't think we got what we deserved in the first games and because the team also changed a bit with the number of changes and the boys coming in with fewer caps.
“We got through that first bit well and we ended it with some really good performances and some character wins, especially in the last two outings.”
Comments