England is a game Scotland doesn’t need

Analysis of Friday’s Scottish victory over Rep. of Ireland, and a look ahead to the game with the Auld Enemy.

After the euphoria of the win over the Republic of ireland, could Gordon Strachan do without the match with England, and the potential of a deflating defeat?

Yes. Friday night’s win added extra shine to Scotland’s impressive recent record. In the last 10 games, we have lost only one match and that was away to newly-crowned World champions, Germany. In six of those games, we have recorded clean sheets. Yet just as momentum builds progressively, so it also dissipates. After Tuesday, Scotland don’t play again until March. After all the progress that has been made, it would be a shame if the last memory fans had was of a defeat.

WHAT can he expect to get out of facing the Auld Enemy?

MANAGERS have always used friendly matches to try and learn new things about their squad, and that will certainly be the case this week. That Craig Gordon will make his first start for four years is down to the fact both Allan McGregor and David Marshall have suffered injuries. However, the 31-year-old has been so impressive for Celtic that he was always going to get his chance sooner or later. Tuesday should tell the manager if he is truly back to his best.

The same, likewise, will apply to Chris Martin, who is in line to start in place of the injured Steven Fletcher. He has impressed with Derby County, but it is a much bigger ask for him to shine against the English national team.

And there is every possibility of former Scotland Under-21 and Dundee United star Johnny Russell getting a run-out off the substitutes’ bench.

STRACHAN’S team has changed little since losing at Wembley 15 months ago. Is there anyone on the fringes to change that?

GIVEN the lack of numbers he has to choose from, it is remarkable that Gordon Strachan has succeeded in integrating two players who were unheard of in international terms prior to his arrival Ikechi Anya and Andrew Robertson into his starting line-up. It can’t be ruled out that Ryan Gauld and Stevie May could make a similar step up. Gauld, though, faces exceptionally tough competition, with Scotland blessed with a choice of talented creative midfielders. And in the case of May, it remains to be seen if the former St Johnstone star can succeed where Jordan Rhodes failed, and prove himself up to international level. Craig Gordon will provide competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey, and the return of Robert Snodgrass after injury will certainly be a boost.

NEXT up for Scotland is Gibraltar at home. Germany only took four off them, so might we be in for a frustrating night?

POSSIBLY. As good as Steven Fletcher was against the Republic of Ireland, his lack of goals remains a concern. Scotland have plenty of attacking menace in midfield with Maloney, Anya and Naismith all proven scorers at international level. Scott Brown regularly chips in with goals, and the return of Robert Snodgrass will also help in that regard. Gordon Strachan, though, would dearly love to have his main striker scoring, which is why Tuesday will be such a big opportunity for Chris Martin.

ARE Poland now our biggest threat against reaching Euro 2016 automatically?

YES. Their victory over Germany was a tremendous result. And, as well as Scotland performed in Warsaw to get a 2-2 draw, it is hard to erase the memory of wave after wave of Polish attacks bearing down on David Marshall’s goal.

They will certainly be approaching the remainder of the campaign with just as much optimism as we are. As Martin O’Neill pointed out, however, the Republic of Ireland are still likely to have a big say, too, with four of their next five fixtures to be played in Dublin.

JUST how good is this Scotland side?

RESOLUTE, positive and great to watch, this is the best team we have had since 2007. Then, a stirring Euro 2008 campaign under Alex McLeish included memorable victories over both France and Ukraine. Qualify for the Finals of the same competition eight years on and, by definition, Strachan’s men will be the best since the last group to qualify for a major Finals. That was in France in 1998, and the Tartan Army have genuine cause for optimism that they’ll be visiting some old haunts.