Scotland: A New Era

Scotland may have been handed a tough draw in their campaign to qualify for the European Championships in France in the summer of 2016, but manager Gordon Strachan is optimistic about his team’s chances of success.

Drawn in Group D alongside world champions Germany, Scotland have their work cut out to finish in the top two in a group which also contains Ireland, Poland and Georgia, alongside Gibraltar, widely regarded as International football’s newest whipping boys. The Scots will have to be at their best to overcome the opposition en route to the championships.

Many Scottish fans will be pinning their hopes on striker Jordan Rhodes, who scored 25 goals in 45 appearances last season for Blackburn, and is likely to lead the line throughout the qualification phase. The 24 year old striker is widely regarded as an efficient player, with a great eye for goal.

Another major talking point is likely to be Darren Fletcher’s return to competitive football, after an extended leave of absence through illness. The national side’s captain before his departure, the Manchester United defender may well struggle to regain his place in a Manchester United side now bursting with midfield talent, and some have pointed out that an international midfielder needs to be playing regularly to maintain their position in the side.

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Talent: Ryan Gauld is one of Scotland’s highest-rated youngsters

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Another string in Strachan’s bow, as it were, is the abundance of Scottish talent currently bleeding into world football. Ryan Gauld is the highest-profile starlet, in the wake of his £2.5m move from Dundee United to Sporting Lisbon. Also in Scotland’s youth ranks live the likes of Andrew Robertson, Greg Kiltie, Tony Watt, Calvin Miller and Stuart Findlay.

All in all, Strachan’s optimism seems well-placed, even if the task ahead of side seems somewhat insurmountable.

Good luck!

Good luck TaT, you need it with Scotland