By Laurie Finlayson

Scotland sit joint top of Group C with two wins and a draw, including a spirited comeback against Greece, but that comeback does not tell the full story – at half-time, Hampden was soulness, but let’s take the temperature of the Tartan Army as the dust settles.

We spoke to three Scottish football enthusiasts, John Bleasdale and Neil Doherty, who ironically enough, wrote a book together all about the Scottish National Team at Euro ’96 and Hazel Stewart, who writes for the Tartan Army Magazine.

On the campaign so far, Bleasdale mentioned: “⁠If you’d said to me before a ball was kicked, after the pumping by Greece and shocking performance against Iceland that we’d be in a position where we could knock the Greeks out with two games to go, I’d say you were mad. There’s no doubt we’re in a great place for at worst a playoff.”

Doherty looked at things from a tactical standpoint post-match, adding: “Our big players were not in the game [against Greece} – McTominay and Ferguson struggled in the first half, although I thought McGinn put in a good shift.”

On the manager, Steve Clarke, Doherty added:

“I’ve been one of his biggest backers over the years. I loved what he did at Kilmarnock, I love what he’s done at Scotland – he’s made dreams come true for me – to be at the Euros – I’ve been at all except one of Scotland’s matches at both Euro 2020 and 2024 – these are experiences I dreamt of as a lifelong Scotland fan, although I think at times recently, he’s got the team wrong.”

When it comes to team lineups, Stewart echoes this sentiment:

“I don’t think Clarke’s 4-2-3-1 formation worked last night. and it was clear to see during the 64 mins of lacklustre performance where the Greeks played us in our own half. We should’ve stuck to the 4-4-2 that worked against Denmark, which should’ve included Dykes up front with Adams. Gilmour should be in the starting 11 every game as he’s got a few years worth of senior squad experience and left Gannon-Doak on the bench. Clarke keeps changing the formations of his squad almost every game and campaigns which then translates into a tactical turmoil on the pitch.”

Going into this Sunday’s match against Belarus, Scotland sit joint top of their group, level with Denmark, but Scotland need to be vigilant heading into the final three matches of the campaign.