Tartan Chris

Starting that group with Levein still in charge was the problem, messed up the home games v Serbia and Macedonia right at the start which killed qualification right there. Results after under Strachan were o.k, brilliant double over Croatia and also won in Macedonia which isn't easy. Pretty sure also comfortably leading 1-0 v Wales at Hampden until Snoddy conceded a pen and also got sent off which completely flipped that result. From memory a few were actually pleased with that draw given there was no big hitter (Belgium hadn't qualified for a major tournament for about a decade at that point) and it was expected everyone would take points off each other but the reality is that was the point where it started clicking for Belgium and Croatia are always tough to finish above in qualifying (went out in groups at World cup though so they were in transition a bit).

Bit of buzz about the Coventry defensive duo Dom Hyam and Michael Rose atm. Both mid 20s and Hyam played a couple of times for the under 21s. Coventry kept two clean sheets in last week although they will be tested at Norwich tomorrow. Could be two to look at straight after euro 2020.

Interesting to see format with nations league. Without it it would be 10 group winners through and 5 through in play offs. Best 2nd placed team also qualifies like good old days in 98 qualifying so best 3rd placed team gets put in play offs in their place. Not sure what they'll come up with for play off system with nations league. Edit: Or even more simple, best two 2nd place teams go through automatically and remaining 8 go into play offs! Was trying to remember what the actual format was for France 98, think it was two best runners up but can't remember the other nation.

They are consistant qualifiers though. Think they've only missed euro 2012 in last decade. Sort of team that are pretty tough to beat at home and would be capable of coming to Hampden and getting a point. In nations league they still drew twice with Germany, 1-1 at home to Spain and only lost 1-0 away so they know how to defend and grind out results. Much rather have Romania who rarely qualify for tournaments now and never replaced 90s golden generation with likes of Hagi.

I always prefer them just to get more points on the board. 5 team groups didn't go well in 2010 or 12. Pretty sure Norway didn't even make the play offs when they finished 2nd in 2010 aswell. What will also be interesting is how the fixtures get scheduled. I always remember when Wales qualified for euro 2016 they somehow wrangled Andorra away in their first match and Andorra at home in their final match. So Wales had 3 points to start (although they only just about won it 2-1) and then had Andorra as insurance if qualifying went to final game. Saw in 2007 starting with Faroes and Lithuania really gave the campaign a good start so I'd like to play 5 and 6 very early on. Either of the two seeds early would be good aswell as sometimes there's rebuilding after a major tournament and then the favourites hit their stride midway through.

Romania aren't that strong, only drew home and away with Northern Ireland so think they're the weakest from pot 2. Would be fine with Serbia and Slovakia. A fair few tricky teams in pot 4 imo. Past history with Georgia and likes of Slovenia (as we saw in 2017) and Bosnia would be very tricky to beat away and probably at Hampden aswell. Ideally want to play someone that's a near banker at Hampden and would go in as strong favourites for away game so think Belarus would be alright. But then I remember 2006 qualifiers (shows how s*** Scotland have been against weaker teams in group for a long time). Similar for pot 5, think Kosovo will be dangerous team as they're improving every qualification phase and weren't far off finishing above Czechs in England's group. Group of life: Group of death: Denmark Spain Romania Swiss Belarus Bosnia Latvia San Marino Kazhaks Moldova (travel)

It's happening but don't think europe will actually get that many more places, maybe up to about 15. Expansion will have more teams from Africa and Asia.

Typical Scotland.

Yeah automatic qualification for euro 2024 should be a long term goal and with the steady improvement it's realistic. Sometimes it's just a numbers thing. You pretty much halve the list of qualifiers from euros to a world cup. 24 this time compared to 13 for Qatar. If we take Spain, England, France, Belgium, Italy (o.k they missed out last time for first in ages but very consistant results since), Germany as certs to make it based on historical record and pool of players that's nearly half of teams right there. Then you add in Holland and Portugal who may make it or be in play offs but then missing out on world cups is still pretty rare event (think Portugal last failed to make a world cup in 1998 despite many play offs since). Up to 8 teams and then you have likes of Swiss,Croatia, Denmark and Sweden who make it more often than not. It is very very tough to make a world cup nowadays if you're outside of the elite. None of Wales or the two Irelands could make last world cup despite all making at least last 16 at Euro 2016. Iceland were the ones to buck that trend but there's a time limit to that with squads getting old and I think they'll fall back now down the group. They'd be an ideal pot 2 team imo although not sure if they'll still be in there for the draw given their poor results over last year.

Their peak was certainly 2018 considering how many of their players were in their 30s in that competition. Haven't checked but I have a memory of them already qualifed before final game of either 2016 or 18 group and they put out a largely second string team so would certainly rather play them 3rd than 1st in the group matches.

That's what's happened to Iceland. Overachieved last 4 years so get placed in group A and barely get a point. But then going down to B or C as happening to Northern Ireland means you can build yourself up again and be in good position for next euros to get play off spot just by winning a group C section against mediocre opponents.

That is still hardly 2008 standard. Poland probably slightly weaker than 2015 although they've been consistant qualifiers over last 6 years. Should've taken at least 4 points off them in that section btw. Cyprus can be a tricky away but beat them this time last year in Nicosia. Finland done great to qualify for euros and have some decent top level players now, are they really pot 4 with their record last 18 months? They could still get top spot in their nations group if they beat Wales so bit surprised by that.

The four nations league A group winners will be placed in the four groups of 5 as they are playing final of nations league in October 2021 so those teams will need to have two fewer World cup qualfiers otherwise there's no space to fit them in.

Being in top 2 by time of euro 2024 draw is what is needed. That's certainly realistic target now after last 6 months. Just got to string another competitive unbeaten run going although being in group A of nations league would make that much tougher given quality of teams in that section. Likes of Iceland can barely even get a draw.

2-1 Austria now. Would've loved Northern Ireland as potential pot 2 team, will be tough for them over next few years given many of their key players are well into their 30s and they don't have much coming through.

Pretty sure I read somewhere with six month gap play offs will be shifted to june 2022. Will be in 6 team group so presuming two games next March, Sept, Oct, Nov and then March 2022 unless they squeeze some in before euros but I very much doubt that.

1-1 now.

Dabbur's not playing tonight and not in their squad. Czechs winning so looks like win will be needed in Israel r

Portugal have been involved in many play offs over last decade, I presume they were top seeds in a few of those groups. For 2018 Italy were in play offs and Sweden did a superb job knocking them out. France were in play offs for 2014 world cup. Holland might also end up in them. With just group winners going through it does make it more likely there will be a big hitter or two in there.

Israel is not as strong as Slovakia whatever this group placings stay. Given how little Clarke used his subs I think Jack, McGregor, McTom and Dykes back from suspension will all start so back to near full strength (not sure Robbo will be risked as Liverpool hardly have any defenders fit).

Was always going to be a long shot. Still good result in Israel and group will still be won and into Group A and possible pot 2 for future qualifiers e.g 2024. And actually qualifying for a tournament. Not sure anyone could've asked for more at start of 2020.

Clarke must've read my posts on Friday morning...gone from making loads of subs to hardly any. Guess he's saving a few for Israel, would still top the group with a win.

No changes yet is a surprise, would certaintly put Griff on.

Even less than normal go through aswell, just 3 compared to 4 if it was 8 teams. I assume it's same as what we've just had, just one off games at one of the teams' venue compared to home and away.

He got booked v Israel but that was the play off. Dykes got two yellows in nations league last month but was o.k for Serbia so guess it's yellows specific to competition so looks like McGinn will be o.k unless he gets sent off.