The no-win game that's become must-win for Clarke

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A friendly match against one of the smallest nations in international football and one of the least successful teams typically presents a scenario where a victory feels unattainable.

However, in light of Scotland's disappointing loss to Iceland, the upcoming friendly match against Liechtenstein is not just crucial to win but to win convincingly for Steve Clarke prior to the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Scotland’s head coach has faced criticism following Friday's 3-1 defeat, having fielded a robust lineup - seemingly intended to bolster morale - only to see the situation deteriorate when goalkeeper Angus Gunn had to leave the pitch injured early on.

Cieran Slicker’s unfortunate debut in place of Gunn attracted attention, but as Clarke has pointed out, the disheartening loss encompassed much more than just that incident.

The troubling performance from a team that has previously demonstrated its potential was the real concern, rather than simply losing a friendly at home against a competent Icelandic squad.

Scotland has only managed to secure six victories since their remarkable comeback in Oslo in June 2023, making the context of another home setback all the more critical.

Consequently, Clarke and Scotland find themselves needing to create a sense of positivity, momentum, and confidence from a single match against the world’s 205th-ranked nation.

But how will they achieve that?

Liechtenstein’s struggles

For reference, only five teams are ranked beneath Liechtenstein globally.

One of those is San Marino, who recently defeated Liechtenstein twice in the Nations League.

This tiny country has a population comparable to that of Greenock and boasts only a handful of professional athletes.

They faced Wales in a World Cup qualifying match on Friday, suffering a 3-0 defeat, during which they failed to register a shot or even make contact in the Welsh penalty area.

Following that loss in Cardiff, the Liechtenstein players boarded a flight home via Amsterdam to Zurich instead of taking a chartered plane, encountering Scotland fans at the airport as they navigated economy class.

“Honestly, just take a shot from anywhere, lads,” was the general tone of the banter, a darkly humorous nod to Scotland's goalkeeping injury woes.

The Liechtenstein squad found themselves lugging heavy boxes filled with their equipment and other luggage off the conveyor belts and onto trolleys, maneuvering it all out of Zurich airport.

This scenario starkly contrasts with the elite level of the sport.

Against Scotland, Liechtenstein will likely adopt a defensive strategy and aim to frustrate their opponents on the compact Rheinstadion pitch. This match now feels more significant than it did just a few days ago.

New talent? Or seasoned veterans?

From Scotland's perspective, the anticipation must translate into goals - perhaps allowing for some valuable playing time for new talent.

During the pre-match press conference, Clarke indicated he would be making some changes.

With winger Ben Doak sidelined due to injury, Scotland's ability to generate attacking momentum and width was severely diminished during their matchup with Iceland, as they struggled in a three-at-the-back formation.

Will Clarke revert to a four-man defense? Will he opt for a two-striker setup?

It has been a full year since a forward last found the net for Scotland, so could Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough, who shares the position of fourth highest scorer in the Championship, be given a chance to start?

While Scotland has an abundance of talent in midfield, Lennon Miller from Motherwell did not seem out of place when he was brought on during the second half.

Further notable contributions from him, Conway, or Kieron Bowie in a solid win may help to restore some positivity.

Nevertheless, it appears Scotland might benefit from a break, and Clarke might be eager to secure a much-needed victory to put this window behind them, hitting the refresh button ahead of their trip to Copenhagen in September.

This head coach and the current roster of players have bounced back from challenging summers in the past to reach significant finals. What truly counts are the competitive matches.

Yet, for those who support the national team, something beyond just a victory may be necessary to inspire before the journey toward the World Cup begins.