Celtic skipper Callum McGregor will be in action this evening as Scotland face Spain in Seville. Steve Clarke’s team go into the game knowing that a draw will seal qualification to the Euro 2024 Finals in Germany next year. The Spaniards, who will also want a win as they continue their qualification bid, are still hurting from the 2-0 defeat at Hampden in the return fixture.
Team News
Scotland go into the game without ex-Celt Kieran Tierney, who sustained an injury while on loan with Real Sociedad from Arsenal. Ryan Jack and Kevin Nisbet withdrawing due to injury. Neither were likely to be involved in any case.
Angus Gunn will start in goals. The Norwich stopper has been solid since declaring for The Tartan Army. In defence, expect Steve Clarke to continue with Ryan Porteous and Jack Hendry with either Liam Cooper or Scott McKenna coming in to play as the third defender in the back three.
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson and Brentford fullback Aaron Hickey will likely start on the left and right flanks respectively. In midfield, Celtic star Callum Gregor will start alongside Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay with John McGinn further forward playing off the striker.
🗣️'He said things in the heat of the moment but it's gone now. I've lost count of how many trophies he's won since that last game'
John McGinn on Rodri's comments following Scotland's win over Spain in March and competing with top sides on a regular basis ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/OcJSndPlY5
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 11, 2023
In attack, you’d imagine that Clarke will go for the pressing strengths of Che Adams rather than Lyndon Dykes, but the QPR striker will certainly have a part to play if he enters the fray from the bench.
See you in Spain 🫡#ESPSCO pic.twitter.com/w0t5VqH1yn
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 11, 2023
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell);
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (theRangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic);
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United);
Forwards: Ché Adams (Southampton), Jacob Brown (Luton Town), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers).
Match Officials
Serdar Gözübüyük will take charge of tonight’s game. He will be assisted by linesmen Erwin E. J. Zeinstra and Johan Balder, with Marc Nagtegaal as the fourth official.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 7:45pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be broadcast on Viaplay Sports 1. Coverage begins at 7pm (Celtic Park Time) ahead the big kick-off in Spain.
Predicted score
Trying to avoid letting the heart rule the head here and given it’s all gone so well for Scotland so far and we never make it or get it easy, the Spanish want to top the group and need to better the 2-0 Scotland win back in March, so a frustrating night in Seville for the Tartan Army with the predicted score of Spain 3 Scotland 0. Hope this is miles out and Scotland can get a point that will see us qualify.
🏴 M A T C H D A Y 🏴
🆚 Spain v Scotland
🏆 UEFA European Qualifiers
⏰ 7.45pm
🏟️ Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Sevilla
📺 @ViaplaySportsUK
➡️ Preview: https://t.co/vf9qDUuTLm#ESPSCO pic.twitter.com/99O4Ag0DIi— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 12, 2023
Come and join The Celtic Star live at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park during the International break…
John Hartson will be just one of many special guests at a huge and unique Celtic Star event to be held in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park on Thursday, 19 October 2023. Tables for 10 at £180 or individual tickets priced just £20 for this special evening can be purchased now via Celtic Star Books.
Meanwhile here’s Matt Corr talking about his latest Celtic Star book on The Celtic Exchange Podcast…
Majic, Stan and the King of Japan is out in Friday 20 October and is available to order now HERE.
The Celtic Star presents a night with John Hartson, Stephen McManus and Tommy Callaghan at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October…
There’s no Celtic action for a few weeks due the latest international break, but you can still come along to Celtic Park on Thursday 19 October – on the anniversary of Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1…to join The Celtic Star team live in the Kerrydale with special guests John Hartson, Stephen McManus and Tommy Callaghan as we launch Matt Corr’s new book ‘Majic, Stan and the King of Japan’ which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and we’ll have the trophies Celtic won that season there too!
There’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue and many more Celtic guests coming along which we’ll start to announce tomorrow. Tickets are selling fast so get yours now, just click on the image below and we’ll see you in the Kerrydale. It’s going to be some night and a great Celtic fix during the international break!
