Scotland take on their next fixture in their bid for automatic World Cup qualification with Celtic duo Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney in the squad.
The Celtic duo were selected for Scotland by Steve Clarke and both played their part in the excellent win against Greece on Thursday night.
With Belarus up next, Tierney and Ralston will undoubtedly be involved tonight for Clarke as the Celtic pair look to help the Scotland boss make the US trip to the 2026 World Cup.
However, it’s not just the Celtic full-backs who can help lead Scotland to glory. Hoops icon Kasper Schmeichel can also play his part tonight.
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Scotland’s Coefficient explains Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel’s role in Clarke’s World Cup dream
As Scotland prepare to face Belarus at Hampden in the 5pm kick-off, Denmark will play Greece at the Parken Stadion in Copenhagen.
So how can Schmeichel play his part? Scotland’s Coefficient explained on X, “A draw in Denmark vs Greece is ideal as it means;
“IF Scotland beat Belarus & Denmark at home, then we qualify for the World Cup automatically.
“Even if we lose 10-0 in Greece, it’s decided on goal difference, so if Denmark win vs Greece then those same results = we’d (likely) finish 2nd.”
So Scotland need Schmeichel’s Denmark to draw against Greece tonight to help the national side get to the World Cup in 2026 without the need for a play-off.
Just another reason to cheer on Schmeichel and hope Denmark’s strikers have a stinker.
The last Celtic players ever to play for Scotland in a World Cup
The last time Scotland reached the World Cup was in France ’98. The Tartan Army opened up the tournament as Craig Brown’s side narrowly lost to Brazil 2-1.
Incredibly, there were 10 Celtic players in Scotland’s matchday squad for this historic match. The starters were:
- Tom Boyd
- Paul Lambert
- John Collins
- Darren Jackson
- Craig Burley
On the substitutes bench were:
- Jonathan Gould
- Derek Whyte
- Tosh McKinlay
- Jackie McNamara
- Simon Donnelly
John Collins equalised from the penalty spot to cancel out Brazil’s opener which was scored by Cesar Sampaio.
But an unfortunate own-goal by Celtic hero Tom Boyd ensured the opening day win for Brazil as the Scots gave the Samba kings a World Cup fright.
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