Domestic football might be hibernating right now for Celtic supporters, but that doesn’t mean international football isn’t providing its drama.
On Saturday evening, Scotland travelled to Greece for a crucial World Cup qualifier against a side who are unable to qualify automatically for next summer’s showpiece event.
Three points would have been magic for Steve Clarke’s men ahead of their defining game against Denmark on Tuesday night, and a point would have been healthy as well.
Celtic duo Anthony Ralston, who came off the bench, and Kieran Tierney were named amongst the substitutes, as Scotland went 3-0 down inside an hour, fought back to make it 3-2, only to narrowly lose out.
That should have ended Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup automatically, but Celtic hero Kasper Schmeichel and his Denmark side helped them in ways they had not intended after their shock draw against lowly Belarus.
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Kasper Schmeichel and Denmark offer Scotland World Cup lifeline
It is worth noting that Belarus had lost all their games in Group C, scoring only two goals, but they managed to double that against Denmark.
This was supposed to be a banker for the Danes; had they won, then Scotland would have been preparing for the dreaded play-offs.
Even though Denmark opened the scoring in next to no time in the second half, Schmeichel was picking the ball up from the back of the net on two occasions.
Belarus’ first goal came after some quick feet from Valery Gromyko, and his low-driven shot beat Celtic’s number one goalkeeper. He definitely would have been disappointed with that.
Then, Nikita Demchenko joined the party, as Schmeichel was once again beaten with a low shot, as he, along with his Denmark teammates, have now opened an unlikely door for Scotland.
Schmeichel returns to Hampden as the enemy
The last time Schmeichel was at Hampden, Celtic beat Rangers to reach the League Cup final, and he was seen as one of the heroes on the day.
But he returns to Hampden on Tuesday night as the enemy, and whilst he has kept Scotland’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive, he could end them in next to no time.
Simply put, the winner books their golden ticket to the States, whilst a draw would also suit Denmark because they lead the group by a point.
Either way, it’s going to be a tasty affair, and those Celtic supporters repping Scotland will be hoping Schmeichel has a totally off day.
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