It might be a blessing in disguise for the Scots that first-choice right-back Alan Hutton will miss tomorrow’s clash in Glasgow because of injury.
In the 2-2 draw with Poland, the Aston Villa man had a nightmare. He was at fault for the Poles’ first goal after mis-controlling on the edge of his own area, Krzysztof Maczynski took full advantage and arrowed a right-footed strike to the net via the inside of a post. Later in the first half, he was caught by a through-ball from deep and desperately claimed offside as Waldemar Sobota raced past him. It took a last-ditch block from Steven Whittaker to prevent Robert Lewandowski adding a second.
Reading between the lines, it could be Whittaker deputising at full-back at Celtic Park owing to Phil Bardsley’s groin injury. Normally deployed on the other flank, the Norwich defender can switch across and pair up against James McClean though Scotland do have another option in moving Russell Martin from centre-back. But, understandably, Gordon Strachan would certainly prefer to keep his central defensive partnership (Martin plays alongside Grant Hanley) intact and tinker elsewhere. Should Whittaker get the nod, expect 20 year-old Andrew Robertson to slot in on the left. He played the full ninety minutes in the 1-0 victory over Georgia at Ibrox last month.
Whoever he faces, McClean should fancy his chances of causing added headaches tomorrow. The chopping and changing in defence is never a nice thing and though Whittaker is a solid scrapper, the wide-man’s directness and physicality could put the full-back on the back-foot.
Having grabbed a brace against a hapless Gibraltar, the Derryman shouldn’t be lacking in confidence. With Martin O’Neill selecting him from the start against Germany, McClean has the faith of his manager and that will push him even more. With much of the Scottish focus guaranteed to be on Aiden McGeady, there’s a proper opportunity for the former Sunderland winger to step up and deliver in Glasgow.
Steven Naismith v Richard Keogh
The Everton man has been in superb form for both club and country this season and it says much that such a technically-minded manager in Roberto Martinez has placed so much faith in him over the last two campaigns.
Though hardly a prolific striker, he pops up with critical goals (he’s scored four times in the league this season and three of those came against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea). But his intelligence and awareness is what sets him apart. He can drop deep and be a part of the approach or stretch a defence by making smart runs. As he proved against Poland, he can also be opportunistic and is the definition of ‘handful’.
Steven Naismith has been in excellent form for club and country this season. John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Keogh is a key component of a tight Derby defence but it has been creaking in the last few weeks – conceding two goals in four straight games. Facing Championship strikers week-in, week-out, Keogh needs to be wary of Naismith who’s a different beast. The biggest worry is his movement – the centre-back sure to be faced with the dilemma of following him or allowing him dictate a tempo from further out the field.
Seamus Coleman v Ikechi Anya
With his attacking nous never in doubt, Coleman’s defensive performances have come in for criticism in the past and against Scotland he’ll have to keep a careful eye on Anya.
In three qualification games so far, the Watford wide-man has scored once and set up another and is critical to Scotland’s attacking strategy, particularly should they decide to play on the counter-attack on Friday.
Against Germany, he raced clear on 67 minutes as Steven Fletcher slipped him through. His electric pace ensured a safe passage to the penalty area while he had the composure to glide a neat finish past Manuel Neuer.
Anya has been a critical part of this Scotland team since Euro 2016 qualification began. Martin Meissner / AP/Press Association Images
Martin Meissner / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Against Poland, he made a darting run in behind the defence and was expertly picked out by a sumptuous pass from Fletcher once more. His first touch was impeccable, his second wasn’t bad either as he cut the ball back expertly to Shaun Maloney who scored from close range. The tactic was pretty easy: isolate Anya and allow him attack the space. Later in the half, with the Scots having taken a 1-2 lead, he picked the ball up from deep, orchestrated a nice move and crossed for Maloney who saw a decent strike saved by Szczesny.
With Scotland at home, Ireland should anticipate Anya seeing a lot of the ball early on in an effort to try and bring the game to the visitors and quell Coleman as an attacking threat.
Scotland v Republic of Ireland: 3 key battles
Updated at 13.06
James McClean v Steven Whittaker
It might be a blessing in disguise for the Scots that first-choice right-back Alan Hutton will miss tomorrow’s clash in Glasgow because of injury.
In the 2-2 draw with Poland, the Aston Villa man had a nightmare. He was at fault for the Poles’ first goal after mis-controlling on the edge of his own area, Krzysztof Maczynski took full advantage and arrowed a right-footed strike to the net via the inside of a post. Later in the first half, he was caught by a through-ball from deep and desperately claimed offside as Waldemar Sobota raced past him. It took a last-ditch block from Steven Whittaker to prevent Robert Lewandowski adding a second.
Reading between the lines, it could be Whittaker deputising at full-back at Celtic Park owing to Phil Bardsley’s groin injury. Normally deployed on the other flank, the Norwich defender can switch across and pair up against James McClean though Scotland do have another option in moving Russell Martin from centre-back. But, understandably, Gordon Strachan would certainly prefer to keep his central defensive partnership (Martin plays alongside Grant Hanley) intact and tinker elsewhere. Should Whittaker get the nod, expect 20 year-old Andrew Robertson to slot in on the left. He played the full ninety minutes in the 1-0 victory over Georgia at Ibrox last month.
Whoever he faces, McClean should fancy his chances of causing added headaches tomorrow. The chopping and changing in defence is never a nice thing and though Whittaker is a solid scrapper, the wide-man’s directness and physicality could put the full-back on the back-foot.
Having grabbed a brace against a hapless Gibraltar, the Derryman shouldn’t be lacking in confidence. With Martin O’Neill selecting him from the start against Germany, McClean has the faith of his manager and that will push him even more. With much of the Scottish focus guaranteed to be on Aiden McGeady, there’s a proper opportunity for the former Sunderland winger to step up and deliver in Glasgow.
Steven Naismith v Richard Keogh
The Everton man has been in superb form for both club and country this season and it says much that such a technically-minded manager in Roberto Martinez has placed so much faith in him over the last two campaigns.
Though hardly a prolific striker, he pops up with critical goals (he’s scored four times in the league this season and three of those came against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea). But his intelligence and awareness is what sets him apart. He can drop deep and be a part of the approach or stretch a defence by making smart runs. As he proved against Poland, he can also be opportunistic and is the definition of ‘handful’.
Keogh is a key component of a tight Derby defence but it has been creaking in the last few weeks – conceding two goals in four straight games. Facing Championship strikers week-in, week-out, Keogh needs to be wary of Naismith who’s a different beast. The biggest worry is his movement – the centre-back sure to be faced with the dilemma of following him or allowing him dictate a tempo from further out the field.
Seamus Coleman v Ikechi Anya
With his attacking nous never in doubt, Coleman’s defensive performances have come in for criticism in the past and against Scotland he’ll have to keep a careful eye on Anya.
In three qualification games so far, the Watford wide-man has scored once and set up another and is critical to Scotland’s attacking strategy, particularly should they decide to play on the counter-attack on Friday.
Against Germany, he raced clear on 67 minutes as Steven Fletcher slipped him through. His electric pace ensured a safe passage to the penalty area while he had the composure to glide a neat finish past Manuel Neuer.
Against Poland, he made a darting run in behind the defence and was expertly picked out by a sumptuous pass from Fletcher once more. His first touch was impeccable, his second wasn’t bad either as he cut the ball back expertly to Shaun Maloney who scored from close range. The tactic was pretty easy: isolate Anya and allow him attack the space. Later in the half, with the Scots having taken a 1-2 lead, he picked the ball up from deep, orchestrated a nice move and crossed for Maloney who saw a decent strike saved by Szczesny.
With Scotland at home, Ireland should anticipate Anya seeing a lot of the ball early on in an effort to try and bring the game to the visitors and quell Coleman as an attacking threat.
Given: Scotland wish McCarthy and McGeady were playing for them
‘If Martin O’Neill calls on me to play, I’ll be ready’, says new boy Cyrus Christie
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Alan Hutton Analysis Celtic Park COYBIG Euro 2016 Glasgow Ikechi Anya James McClean Republic Of Ireland Richard Keogh SCOIRL Scotland Seamus coleman Steven Naismith UEFA