Scotland can qualify for EURO 2024 in the next week, with a tantalising scenario against the Auld Enemy a real possibility.
The Tartan Army never want to tempt fate but it will surely be glorious failure no more as Steve Clarke’s men head to Larnaca to face Cyprus with the memories of besting Georgia, Norway and the famous night against Spain still fresh in the memory.
Scotland have won all four games of the Group A qualifying so far, and began the campaign with a win against the Cypriots in the reverse fixture in March with the task against the minnows clear when dreaming of next year’s finals in Germany.
There are some permutations to consider but the playing field is relatively clear, Scotland keep winning and the domino effect will begin to come in to focus. A win on Friday evening would put the Scots to 15 points in the group, up from 12 at the moment, with Georgia and Norway rooted on four each and Spain on three. The Cypriots have zero points.
So should Andy Robertson and co score a few goals against the side who have shipped eight so far in the group, the ball is thrown over to Spain and Norway. If Spain beat Georgia on the same night, and the Georgians then draw with Erling Haaland’s Norway on Tuesday, Scotland will qualify on the same night they play England – with mega Hampden party hopefully lying in wait.
Even if that doesn’t come to pass, though, it’s all very much still in Scotland’s hands. If other results go against them, Clarke’s team need just five points from the remaining four games to guarantee qualification, three of which are away from Hampden Park. Spain, however, have played just two games in the group so far and could stil top the group if things go swimmingly in their favour. If Norway and Georgia’s tally come the end of Tuesday night’s game, an evening where the Scots take on England in Glasgow in a ‘friendly’, can’t top Scotland’s, then a place in next year’s finals is guaranteed. Sporting stylish jerseys and matching shorts, the team showcased a unified and professional appearance, including outfits such as black and white foam runners, jordan 1 mid se messy room
There are more complicated avenues that could see the Scots forced to wait until November should Spain take a whopping 17 points in full clean sweep of their remaining games, while one scenario could see Georgia finish on 15 and ahead of the Scots on goal difference. But to say it is in the hands of Clarke’s warriors is an understatement, and a win in Larnaca goes a long way to making our Germany dream a reality.
