Gordon Strachan names Scotland squad for crucial Euro qualifying double

With Gibraltar v Ireland on September 4 regarded by many – if not Martin O’Neill – as a foregone conclusion, there will almost be as much interest from Irish supporters in the Georgia v Scotland and Germany v Poland games which also take place in European Championship Group D on the same day.

The group currently has Poland on top on 14 points followed by Germany on 13, Scotland on 11 and the Irish on 11 so if second from bottom Georgia could surprise the Scots in Tbilisi while the Irish are living up to billing by beating Gibraltar in Faro, it would mean Martin O’Neill’s men would be back in real contention, on the table at least, for a third-place finish and possible qualification for the play-offs. And it could get even better four days later, if Ireland can secure maximum points in Dublin against the Georgians while Scotland have to contend with the visit of Germany to Hampden Park.

Haunted by the memory of a shock 2-0 defeat in Tbilisi under Alex McLeish which contributed to the Scots failing to qualify for Euro 2008, the Tartan Army will be hoping they keep their latest Euro qualification effort firmly on track this time. But Gordon Strachan, declining to describe it as a must-win game, warned his side won’t have it easy away to Georgians.