The Hopes of a Nation

Hi guys, I have decided I am going to start a second story to keep me motivated for my stories. For this story I will be the manager of Scotland, I will be the current manager Gordon Strachen and hope to lead them to major competitions. Firstly I hope to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. When I started the save Scotland were second in the group 1 point behind group leaders Belgium. This will be a challenge to keep two stories going at once but hopefully with your support and advice I will manage to do this.

Good luck mate

@fmhunter Cheers

Gordon Strachan has revealed his Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Croatia. Strachan has surprised a few people with the inclusion of Dundee United's 16 year old centre back John Souttar. Scotland currently sit in second place, 1 point behind Belgium. Scotland have a great chance of qualifying for a major competition for the first time since the 1998 World Cup in France. Manager Gordon Strachan has publicly stated that he wants to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil. Gordon Strachan has told the Scottish Press that Celtic captain Scott Brown is now the Scotland Captain, taking over from Darren Fletcher. Here is the Squad in full;


Can Gordon Strachan's men do their country proud in these next two qualifiers and perhaps move above Belgium into the automatic qualification place.

Gordon Strachan and his team could have just thrown away an automatic qualification place after failing to beat bottom side Wales and only draw with Croatia. Wales welcomed Scotland to the Liberty Stadium and Scotland were big favourites for the battle of Britain clash. Hal Robson-Kanu gave the Welsh a 1-0 lead after 10 minutes after a defensive mistake from Scotland centre back Mulgrew. Robert Snodgrass curled a free kick into the top corner just before half time. Despite large pressure on the Welsh goal, it was the host who stole all 3 points after Real Madrid winger Bale thundered the ball past Alan McGregor with only seconds remaining.


A deflated Scotland squad then travelled to Croatia to face the team who were 1 point behind them. Scotland looked like a team lacking in confidence and suffering from fatigue. Croatia took the lead after 33 minutes when Ivo Ilicevic powered his header into the roof of the net. Scotland regrouped at half time and looked the stronger team in the second half. Despite the possession Scotland enjoyed they could not break down the Croatian defence. Scotland finally managed to get a goal when midfielder James Morrison saw his right foot strike fly past the goalkeeper. The game ended 1-1.


After these round of fixtures only one game remains for Scotland who are sitting in the play-off place 1 point ahead of Croatia and 3 points behind leaders Belgium. Croatia travel to Macedonia knowing they must better Scotland's result to reach the World Cup play-off. Scotland face Belgium at Hampden knowing that in reality they must win to qualify for the play-off. If Scotland beat Belgium by 2 clear goals then it will be the Scots who will qualify automatically and Belgium will go to the play-off. There will be lots of nerves at Hampden next month when Scotland could qualify for their first major competition for 16 years.

Wow, that's gonna be tense. Hopefully a miracle will happen, because as you know, football is unpredictable.

@Soulcraft Hopefully I will be able to qualify after coming this close