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Scotland hope to avoid Nations League relegation and remain in League A when they take on Greece for the second leg of their play-off tie today.
Should they lose they will drop down into League B but avoiding defeat will make sure they remain in the Nations League top flight and face stronger opposition for the next campaign.
Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty in Piraeus ensured the Scots bring a one-goal advantage into this match at Hampden Park after they earned a valuable win away from home last Thursday.
Steve Clarke’s men weathered plenty of attacks from the Greeks and they’ll face a similar situation in this afternoon’s encounter though home advantage will play a key role in how they perform. Clarke has insisted that his players will not rest on their lead and will aim to win.
"It's a game that we want to win," the head coach said. "Obviously we've got the one-goal lead from the first leg, but we're going to set up and try and win the game and hopefully set a marker down for the World Cup games coming up.”
Follow all the latest updates with our live blog below:
Greece boss Ivan Jovanovic has made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 in the first leg.
At full-back, Lazaros Rota and Kostas Tsimikas are replaced by Georgios Vagiannidis and Dimitris Giannoulis, while in central midfield, Emmanouil Siopis and Petros Mantalos go out in favour of Christos Mouzakitis and Christos Zafeiris.
In attack, Giorgos Masouras drops out for Konstantinos Karetsas, while Vangelis Pavlidis leads the line as he starts over Fotis Ioannidis.
Greece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Giannoulis; Mouzakitis, Zafeiris; Konstantelias, Karetsas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Retsos, Masouras, Pelkas, Rota, Fountas, Ioannidis, Chatzidiakos, Mantalos, Tsimikas, Galanopalous.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has made just one change to the side that beat Greece in the first leg on Thursday.
Ryan Christie comes in to replace Lewis Ferguson, with the Bournemouth man staying on the left wing.
Che Adams leads the line again, with Scott McTominay in the attacking midfield role.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley Robertson; Gilmour, Christie; McGinn, McTominay, McLean; Adams.
Subs: Kelly, Slicker, Tierney, Conway, Hendry, Wilson, McKenna, Nisbit, Hirst, Ferguson, Miller, Johnston.
Steve Clarke is looking to accelerate the development of more young talent after handing teenage duo Lennon Miller and James Wilson their first call-ups for the March international break.
Motherwell midfielder Miller and Hearts striker Wilson, both 18, were included for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.
Both started on the bench in the first leg but could be called into action at Hampden.
Scotland hand first call up to 18-year-old with ‘big, big future’
Tonight’s play-off will be shown on free-to-air, after the previous agreement with ViaPlay came to a premature end and left fans watching games on YouTube.
This will be the case with all Scotland matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams
Ryan Christie returns from suspension and bolsters Scotland’s midfield options. Clarke started all of Billy Gilmour, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson behind Che Adams in Athens, but Christie can offer a little more pace and could return.
Scotland’s back four worked well enough so Kieran Tierney may find himself on the back again, with Andy Robertson and Anthony Ralston the full-backs either side of Grant Hanley and John Souttar. Craig Gordon kept a clean sheet on his 80th international appearance.
The second leg of the Nations League play-off will be shown live on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting from 4pm GMT. Kick-off at Hampden is at 5:00pm on Sunday 23 March.
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece!
Scotland take a 1-0 lead to Hampden as they look to maintain their top-flight status in the competition.
Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty proved the difference in Athens on Thursday, but will be wary after Greece dominated much of play in the first leg.
All the build-up and play-by-play action, right here.
Continue reading...
Should they lose they will drop down into League B but avoiding defeat will make sure they remain in the Nations League top flight and face stronger opposition for the next campaign.
Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty in Piraeus ensured the Scots bring a one-goal advantage into this match at Hampden Park after they earned a valuable win away from home last Thursday.
Steve Clarke’s men weathered plenty of attacks from the Greeks and they’ll face a similar situation in this afternoon’s encounter though home advantage will play a key role in how they perform. Clarke has insisted that his players will not rest on their lead and will aim to win.
"It's a game that we want to win," the head coach said. "Obviously we've got the one-goal lead from the first leg, but we're going to set up and try and win the game and hopefully set a marker down for the World Cup games coming up.”
Follow all the latest updates with our live blog below:
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
- Scotland take on Greece in their Nations League play-off with kick off at 5pm
- Scott McTominay's goal gives Scots a 1-0 advantage ahead of second leg
- Steve Clarke insists his team will aim to win the game and not rest on their lead
- Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams.
- Greece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Giannoulis; Mouzakitis, Zafeiris; Konstantelias, Karetsas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.
Greece team news
16:05 , Chris WilsonGreece boss Ivan Jovanovic has made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 in the first leg.
At full-back, Lazaros Rota and Kostas Tsimikas are replaced by Georgios Vagiannidis and Dimitris Giannoulis, while in central midfield, Emmanouil Siopis and Petros Mantalos go out in favour of Christos Mouzakitis and Christos Zafeiris.
In attack, Giorgos Masouras drops out for Konstantinos Karetsas, while Vangelis Pavlidis leads the line as he starts over Fotis Ioannidis.
Greece line-up
15:59 , Chris WilsonGreece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Giannoulis; Mouzakitis, Zafeiris; Konstantelias, Karetsas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Retsos, Masouras, Pelkas, Rota, Fountas, Ioannidis, Chatzidiakos, Mantalos, Tsimikas, Galanopalous.
Team news
15:54 , Chris WilsonScotland boss Steve Clarke has made just one change to the side that beat Greece in the first leg on Thursday.
Ryan Christie comes in to replace Lewis Ferguson, with the Bournemouth man staying on the left wing.
Che Adams leads the line again, with Scott McTominay in the attacking midfield role.
Scotland line-up
15:50 , Chris WilsonScotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley Robertson; Gilmour, Christie; McGinn, McTominay, McLean; Adams.
Subs: Kelly, Slicker, Tierney, Conway, Hendry, Wilson, McKenna, Nisbit, Hirst, Ferguson, Miller, Johnston.
Scottish wonderkids earning first taste of international football
15:40 , Will CastleSteve Clarke is looking to accelerate the development of more young talent after handing teenage duo Lennon Miller and James Wilson their first call-ups for the March international break.
Motherwell midfielder Miller and Hearts striker Wilson, both 18, were included for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.
Both started on the bench in the first leg but could be called into action at Hampden.
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Scotland hand first call up to 18-year-old with ‘big, big future’
Scotland fans feasting on free-to-air international football
15:30 , Will CastleTonight’s play-off will be shown on free-to-air, after the previous agreement with ViaPlay came to a premature end and left fans watching games on YouTube.
This will be the case with all Scotland matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Scotland predicted lineup
15:15 , Will CastleScotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams
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What is the Scotland team news?
15:00 , Will CastleRyan Christie returns from suspension and bolsters Scotland’s midfield options. Clarke started all of Billy Gilmour, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson behind Che Adams in Athens, but Christie can offer a little more pace and could return.
Scotland’s back four worked well enough so Kieran Tierney may find himself on the back again, with Andy Robertson and Anthony Ralston the full-backs either side of Grant Hanley and John Souttar. Craig Gordon kept a clean sheet on his 80th international appearance.
You must be registered for see images attach
How can I watch Scotland vs Greece?
14:45 , Will CastleThe second leg of the Nations League play-off will be shown live on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting from 4pm GMT. Kick-off at Hampden is at 5:00pm on Sunday 23 March.
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
14:30 , Will CastleWelcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece!
Scotland take a 1-0 lead to Hampden as they look to maintain their top-flight status in the competition.
Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty proved the difference in Athens on Thursday, but will be wary after Greece dominated much of play in the first leg.
All the build-up and play-by-play action, right here.
Continue reading...
