Turkey v Scotland
Andy Robertson reckons tonight’s friendly in Diyarbakir is exactly what Scotland need as they will have to win games in hostile places like Turkey if they want to qualify for Euro 2024.
The Scots skipper is convinced the Turkey clash is the perfect test for his side as both nations try to put their failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup behind them.
Liverpool full-back Robertson can’t wait to sample the Turkish atmosphere and said: ‘It’s an important test. Two teams that are similarly ranked and it will be a full crowd – we know the Turkish crowd can always be lively and get right behind their team.
‘When you are in campaigns, these are the types of places you have to come and get a result.
‘It’s a good friendly and a good way to prepare for the campaign ahead. Both teams wish they were going to the World Cup. We’ll both be competitive and try and get out of it what we need to prepare for the Euro campaign.’
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is happy to get the chance to build on his side’s superb Nations League displays which won them promotion to Group A with Europe’s elite.
Clarke lost Che Adams, Kenny McLean and Nathan Patterson from his original squad for tonight’s game.
He was also denied the chance to call up Celtic players such as David Turnbull, Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston, who are with their club in Australia, while Hoops skipper Callum McGregor and Brentford full-back Aaron Hickey are both injured.
Clarke welcomes back Robertson, defender Grant Hanley and midfielder Ryan Jack after injury as he looks ahead to a European Championship qualifying group which features Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus. Clarke, who looks set to hand Liverpool’s Calvin Ramsay his debut, said: ‘In football, you move on.
‘It was disappointing not to go to the World Cup. I’m sure it was disappointing for Turkey.
‘But you have to look forward to the next challenge, which is qualifying for Germany in 2024. It was important to fit a match into the November window.
‘We’ve managed to get a good percentage of the players with us that were with us in September. ‘We can speak about what we did and we will look to improve that.’
MORE : Scottish FA hit back at women’s team over ticketing row ahead of World Cup qualifier
MORE : Fifa president Gianni Infantino wants Qatar World Cup to be ‘first step to peace’ in Ukraine
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