Scotland realistic about ’slim‘ Euro 2020 qualification hopes, says David Marshall
David Marshall admits the Odds of Scotland qualifying for Its 2020 European Union are“slim“ after the 2-1 defeat by Russia at Hampden Park on Friday.
Steve Clarke’s side took the lead after only 10 minutes after midfielder John McGinn scored his first global goal but Russia scored both sides of half-time to take all three points.
Russia are next with 12 points, three behind leaders Belgium who visit Hampden about Monday night, live on Sky Sports 43,, after two wins at five fixtures, Scotland have been at fourth place in Group I with six points.
The Nations League semi-final play-off next March offers Scotland a different way into Euro 2020 however when asked about the odds of getting there by the conventional course, the 34-year-old Wigan goalkeeper said:“It is obviously slim.
„We all know that, we are sensible about it. There is half of the campaign and we must go and win Monday night, we understand that.
„It’s a massive request at this point however you are feeling better in a couple of days after you receive a couple of days training in and we’ll go again on Monday.
„There is a great deal of football to be played. We will need to get our heads. There’s still five matches to go from the category.
„We know how slender it is we need to go and win a big game.
„We clearly know Belgium really nicely. We’ll have a game plan that might change because it has turned into a match win and we have to go today. I am sure we’ll be ready.
„Football affects speedily. We came it off and had been in the ascendancy. So we will go and give it a go on Monday.
„We know what the audience is like here [in Hampden] if we get going and when we can find a start on Monday as we did against Russia hopefully we can assert it. But we’re under no regrets.“
At a loss as to how the home side didn’t build in goal and their ancient play, Marshall has been like the majority of the Scotland players.
The former Celtic, Cardiff and Hull goalkeeper stated:“It was a big game and we needed the points. They are a fantastic team but I do not think we played that well.
„It was a disappointing result. Our game plan was to get after them and it worked extremely well.
„It was a perfect beginning for us but the game simply seemed to change. They got a lot of ownership and the target before half-time was significant to them“
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