Who's on the Plane? Scotland Euros Squad Power Rankings - November 2020
Stevie Clarke has been able to do what Berti Vogts, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, George Burley, Craig Levein, Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish again could not.
Scotland are coming to the Euros.
After two heroic, nerve-shredding, loved-that-but-please-never-again penalty shootout wins over Israel and Serbia, the 22-year wait is over, and a Wembley* date with England beckons.
Picking the 23 players to go will be one of the most difficult tasks of Clarke's career to date, considering every player with so much as a Scottish grandparent will now be champing at the bit to get involved, but such is the nature of the job.
Between now and the finals, 90min will be keeping you up to date on the players who make the grade as things stand, ranked by their security in the squad.
It's based on who is fit, available and in-form right now, and here is November.
*assuming Covid decides to give us a break
23. Kevin Nisbet
Hibs striker Nisbet is yet to make his Scotland debut, but it's really not clear why, considering the start he has had to life in the Scottish Premiership.
Lawrence Shankland has been rubbish for Dundee United this season and Oli McBurnie, though he did his job from the spot in Belgrade, hasn't done it in any of his 14 caps so far.
Giving Lyndon Dykes a chance has worked wonders so far - it can't be long before Clarke decides to roll the dice once more.
22. Leigh Griffiths
Do we take Leigh Griffiths? Yeah, to hell with it, we'll take Leigh Griffiths.
The striker is having a rough time of it at Celtic at the moment, and is not exactly a favourite of Neil Lennon's. Clarke put his faith in him in bringing him into the squad for the playoff, however, and he repaid him with a successful penalty.
His experience means he's worth having around, even if it's just to take a spot-kick every now and then.
21. Greg Taylor
In any other period in history, Greg Taylor would be a perfectly fine starting left-back for Scotland.
it just so happens he's playing for a Scotland team where even Kieran Tierney can't get a look-in at left wing-back because there's Andy Robertson wearing the captain's armband.
Taylor's form for Celtic has been patchy this season and has recently lost his spot to Diego Laxalt. He's a favourite of Clarke's from his time at Kilmarnock, so still seems likely to travel as a backup, but can't take anything for granted.
20. Andrew Considine
'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara is top of the UK charts because of Aberdeen defender Andy Considine' is quite the sentence, isn't it?
Considine recently made his Scotland debut at the age of 33 and is already one of the most popular people in the country. He doesn't get anywhere near a fully fit team (hence why his debut took so long) but it just wouldn't be right to leave 2021's Sports Personality of the Year out of the squad at this juncture.
19. Jon McLaughlin
Scotland's third-choice keeper is Rangers' second-choice keeper, behind the guy who would be Scotland's first-choice keeper, had he not retired from internationals.
He's a steady hand in case of emergency, but his place hinges on whether the likes of Robby McCrorie or Ross Doohan can step up in time for the summer.
18. Callum Paterson
Is he a striker? Is he a right-back? Is he a centre-mid?
Callum Paterson does all of the above, none of them brilliantly, but none of them badly either. He's fine wherever you play him, like a big, burly, Buckfast-drinking James Milner.
Needs to bin that dodgy 'tache, though, or he's getting nowhere near the flight to London.
17. Scott McKenna
One thing Scotland are decidedly not lacking in is left-sided defenders, but McKenna is...fine, I guess?
He's been a fairly steady performer for Scotland so far, and has wasted no time in settling into the Nottingham Forest team since his move from Aberdeen. He's far too ponderous and hasty on the ball to fill in for Tierney at left-centre-half, but can probably consider himself the backup in the middle of the back three.
16. Liam Palmer
Palmer is perhaps the most 6/10 player Scotland has ever seen. You have no qualms when he starts, but between the first and final whistles, you can count on one hand the times you will actually acknowledge his existence.
He would be down a few caps if Kieran Tierney had a right foot, but c'est la vie.
15. Liam Cooper
This is a strange one, because in theory, Scotland should be delighted to have a player of Cooper's ability and pedigree available. He's captain of a team performing reasonably well in the English Premier League and it's not as if Steve Clarke as an abundance of world class centre-backs available.
It's just that for Scotland, he's always been a little meh. His best 90 minutes came against Israel when Kieran Tierney was out, however, and he is yet to get a regular run in the team, so we're maybe being a little unfair.
14. Stuart Armstrong
The Southampton midfielder has some serious work to do to win over the Scotland faithful. He is yet to be forgiven for failing to clear his lines against England at Hampden in 2017, eventually resulting in Harry Kane's cruel equaliser that contributed to the Scots' failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
The fact remains, however, that he is a really good midfielder, and has shown in flashes for his country that he is capable of changing a game. An abundance of midfield talent means he is out of favour at present, but hasn't missed a squad when available since March 2017 - that probably says it all about his chances.
13. Craig Gordon
Under normal circumstances, a 37-year-old playing in the Scottish Championship would be nowhere near the Scotland set-up. But then again, not too many 37-year-olds playing in the Scottish Championship are as reliable as Craig Gordon.
Scotland's most-capped keeper since Jim Leighton just returned to the team after a two-year absence, and doesn't appear to be going away again any time soon.
12. Kenny McLean
The former Rangers youth academy graduate has been linked with a move back to Ibrox in recent weeks, and his recent Scotland performances have shown why Steven Gerrard is so interested.
He's been in and out of the team recently, but has taken the decisive penalty in shootouts with Israel and Serbia, which says a lot about his mentality - and why he will be in the squad come the summer.
11. Ryan Jack
The understated, under-appreciated midfield general of the Scotland team, Jack doesn't impact things as much as his more technically gifted counterparts, but he plays a vital role in holding things together and moving the ball forward.
Seven of his nine caps have come under Clarke, and he had missed just one of their past eight matches before being given a rest against Slovakia on Sunday.
10. Stephen O'Donnell
It's not clear at which point O'Donnell went from reasonable rotation option to the second coming of Dani Alves, but here we are.
The Motherwell and former Kilmarnock defender is as steady as they come while still being able to impact games in the final third. Like a few within the squad, Clarke has been loyal to him since he took the Scotland job and we're now seeing that paying off - though he may have something to worry about once James Forrest is back in the picture,
9. Scott McTominay
McTominay made the error that very nearly cost Scotland their place at the Euros against Serbia. But he picked himself up, dusted himself off, scored a penalty, and contributed in no small part to sending them through.
It wasn't clear what Clarke was thinking playing him in a back three to begin with, but it has steadily begun to make sense. He has all the physical and mental attributes to play there, while his composure and ability to bring the ball forward make him a huge asset in possession.
Pretty much undroppable now, you'd think.
8. Declan Gallagher
Steve Clarke took a risk in bringing Gallagher, who was in prison for assault as recently as 2016, into the international set-up. Whatever you think of the decision to give him a second chance, however, his performance against Serbia showed just how important a player he has become for his country.
A colossus at the heart of the back three, he dealt with the prolific Aleksandar Mitrovic as if he was any run-of-the-mill SPFL striker, and having played every minute for Motherwell this season, it doesn't look as if anything can stop his upwards momentum.
7. Kieran Tierney
Stevie Clarke is a trend-setter. Long before Mikel Arteta began deploying Tierney as his left centre-half, Clarke had him on the left of a back three for his country, and though the decision was initially maligned, recently, it has shown signs of real promise.
His link-up play with Andy Robertson sometimes seems awkward and the increased defensive responsibilities mean he can't impact games as he would like to, but his ability to bring the ball out adds an important dimension to Scotland's play, and he rarely puts a foot wrong in defence.
6. Callum McGregor
The hapless performance against Slovakia, in the second half at least, spoke volumes about McGregor's importance to the side.
He's not the sexiest player in the Scotland team by any means, but has a unique playmaking ability that sets him apart from every other midfielder. When he's on it, he can take the game by the scruff of the neck and dictate play like no-one else can, and although there are quality midfielders just behind him in the pecking order, the team has to completely change its shape and plan without him in it.
5. John McGinn
There was a period where John McGinn scored goals for fun on the international stage, but even though he is now goal-less in seven, the vice captain remains one of the first names on the team-sheet.
He plays such a key role, linking the midfield with an attack that would be isolated otherwise, and will be a central part of any success that lies ahead at the Euros.
4. Ryan Christie
Oh here he is. The face and voice of a country rejoicing. Saint Ryan, slayer of Serbia and deliverer of interviews that reduce us all to big blubbering idiots.
The quality of Christie's goal against Serbia was on another level, cutting across the ball to find the far corner when his body shape made it seem scientifically impossible, but then he went and delivered one of the most authentic moments on camera that you will ever see from a footballer.
His link-up play with Lyndon Dykes carries real promise going forward - assuming Ryan Fraser doesn't return to break up the party.
3. David Marshall
Look at him go. Big Marsh. Dave the Save. Saturday Night Davie Marshall.
Whatever you want to call him, he's the man between the sticks going forward. Give him the keys to the country already.
What. A. Man.
2. Lyndon Dykes
Two goals in six caps doesn't exactly scream 'revelation' but that's exactly what Australian-born Dykes has been since his Scotland debut.
He has the popularity of James McFadden, the hold-up play of Steven Fletcher, and the nuisance factor of Kenny Miller all rolled into one. He is incapable of losing a header and occupies entire back-lines by himself. He works tirelessly and puts Oli McBurnie, allegedly a Premier League striker, to shame.
Just wrap him in cotton wool until the Euros, QPR, will you?
1. Andy Robertson
It defies belief that some people can't understand why Robertson looks like a better player for Liverpool than he does for Scotland. Of course he does. Look at the amount of time they spend on the front foot - it's an attacking full-back's dream.
He doesn't have that same luxury playing for his country, so his individual performances often fail to hit the same world class level we've become accustomed to. But he's the captain, the leader and the pace-setter. No-one is taking his spot.