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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says it is a "little anomaly" that the national side have slipped to 45th in the current world rankings.
They had climbed as high as 30th in Clarke's tenure, in 2023, but fell to 52nd in late 2024 before jumping back up to 45th.
But Clarke is adamant the current crop are a better team now and more equipped to deal with top-tier nations as a result of the fixtures they have faced.
"We have improved," he said. "If you look at the world rankings, it will tell you different. That's a little anomaly that seems to have popped up with the Nations League.
"But, as a team, we have improved and the players have improved at this level too. We understand what it takes to win a game at this level. Thankfully, recently we have been able to show we can do that."
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie will be available for selection again by Clarke ahead of Sunday's second leg at Hampden after missing out on the first leg due to suspension.
"I've seen Ryan a couple of times for Bournemouth and people will tell you that he is playing a slightly deeper role," Clarke said.
"But when you watch Bournemouth play, he is still the one who is leading the high press and is the one that gets after the game and gets forward to the edge of the box.
"All they have done at Bournemouth is given him a nominal position, if you like, but he plays the same way Ryan plays. It does not matter where you play Ryan on the pitch, he brings energy and quality and that is what he always brings for us as well."
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They had climbed as high as 30th in Clarke's tenure, in 2023, but fell to 52nd in late 2024 before jumping back up to 45th.
But Clarke is adamant the current crop are a better team now and more equipped to deal with top-tier nations as a result of the fixtures they have faced.
"We have improved," he said. "If you look at the world rankings, it will tell you different. That's a little anomaly that seems to have popped up with the Nations League.
"But, as a team, we have improved and the players have improved at this level too. We understand what it takes to win a game at this level. Thankfully, recently we have been able to show we can do that."
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie will be available for selection again by Clarke ahead of Sunday's second leg at Hampden after missing out on the first leg due to suspension.
"I've seen Ryan a couple of times for Bournemouth and people will tell you that he is playing a slightly deeper role," Clarke said.
"But when you watch Bournemouth play, he is still the one who is leading the high press and is the one that gets after the game and gets forward to the edge of the box.
"All they have done at Bournemouth is given him a nominal position, if you like, but he plays the same way Ryan plays. It does not matter where you play Ryan on the pitch, he brings energy and quality and that is what he always brings for us as well."
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