What questions do Clarke’s Scots face in Portugal?

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What questions do Clarke’s Scots face in Portugal?

Clarke’s preferred formation is usually some variation of a five-back formation. However, Scotland lined up with a back four against the Poles.

With no Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson in the squad through injury, can we expect that to be the case again in Portugal?

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein: “I’m not 100% sure. We tried to crowbar [Andy] Robertson and [Kieran] Tierney onto the same side. I thought we had found a solution by playing a back five with one at left wing-back and one at left centre-back.

“However, Tierney isn’t available, so I’m not sure. The five gives us a wee bit more safety, but if you play a five, your wing backs have to be adventurous. If they’re not, then progress up the pitch is limited.”

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton: “I don’t think the personnel lends itself to a back five. I don’t think we’ve got a right-sided wing back.

“It’s not Anthony Ralston’s position. He needs to be deeper when receiving the ball.

“Max Johnston could be a wing-back, but he has not enough minutes played this season. Would it be reckless to start him?

“When you don’t have Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson, it’s a real struggle to go with a back five.”

Former Scotland centre-half ******* Miller: “It would be the three centre backs for me after watching us play with two on Thursday.

“I’m not sure about the personnel, or the formation, but you’ve got much more responsibility if it’s only the two of you.

“Another centre-back contracts the space that the opposition can expose and you need to do that at the top level. I would ask Grant Hanley to play in the middle, with Scott McKenna on one side and either John Souttar or Ryan Porteous on the other side.”

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