Scotland realistic about ‘slim’ Euro 2020 qualification hopes, says David Marshall
David Marshall admits the Odds of Scotland qualifying for Its 2020 European Union are”Slender” after the 2-1 defeat by Russia at Hampden Park on Friday.
Steve Clarke’s side took the lead after only 10 minutes when midfielder John McGinn scored his first international goal but Russia scored either side of half-time to carry all three points.
After two wins in five fixtures, Scotland have been in fourth place in Group I with six points while Russia are next with 12 points.
The Nations League semi-final play-off next March offers Scotland another way into Euro 2020 but when asked about the odds of getting there from the standard route, the 34-year-old Wigan goalkeeper stated:”It’s obviously slim.
“We all know that, we are realistic about it. Win and we have to go Monday night and there is half the effort gone we know that.
“It’s a massive request at this stage however you feel much better in a few days after you receive a few days training in and we will go back on Monday.
“There’s a good deal of football to be played. We will need to get our minds. There is five matches to go from the group.
“We know how slim it is we will need to go and win a huge game.
“We obviously know Belgium really nicely. We’ll have a game plan that might change because it has become a game win and we have to go . I am certain that we will be ready.
“Football changes promptly. We had been in the ascendancy and came off it. So we give it a go on Monday and will go.
“We all are aware of what the audience is similar to here [in Hampden] if we begin and when we can get a start on Monday as we did from Russia hopefully we could maintain it. But we’re under no regrets.”
At a loss regarding how the home side didn’t build on their great play and aim, Marshall has been like most of the Scotland players.
The former Celtic, Cardiff and Hull goalkeeper stated:”It was a huge game and we needed the points. They’re a fantastic team but I don’t think we played well.
“It was a disappointing result. Our game plan was to get after them and it worked well.
“It was a perfect start for us but the game only seemed to change. They got a great deal of ownership and the goal before half-time was significant to them”
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