David Marshall admits the Odds of Scotland qualifying for Its 2020 European Championships are”Slender” after the 2-1 defeat by Russia at Hampden Park on Friday.
Steve Clarke’s side took the lead after only 10 minutes when midfielder John McGinn scored his first global goal but Russia scored both sides of half-time to shoot all three points.
After two wins in five fixtures, Scotland have been at fourth place in Group I with six points while Russia are next with 12 points, three behind leaders Belgium who see Hampden about Monday night, live on Sky Sports Football.
The Nations League semi-final play-off next March offers Scotland a different way to Euro 2020 however when asked about the odds of getting there by the standard path, the 34-year-old Wigan goalkeeper stated:”It is obviously slender.
“We know that, we are realistic about it. There is half of the effort now and we must go and win Monday nightwe understand that.
“It’s a massive request at this stage but you feel better in a couple of days after you get a few days practice in and we’ll go back on Monday.
“There is a great deal of football to be performed . We will need to get our minds. There is still five games to go in the category.
“We know how slim it is but we will need to go and acquire a big game.
“We clearly understand Belgium really well. We’ll have a game plan which may change since it has become a game we have to go and win . I am certain that we will be ready.
“Football changes speedily. We were in the ascendancy and arrived off it. So we will go and give it a try on Monday.
“We are aware of what the audience is similar to here [in Hampden] if we begin and when we could get a start on Monday as we did against Russia hopefully we could maintain it. But we are under no illusions.”
Much like the majority of the Scotland gamers, Marshall has been at a loss as to how the home side didn’t build on their good play and target.
The former Celtic, Cardiff and Hull goalkeeper stated:”It was a big game and we needed the points. They are a team that is good but I do not think we played well.
“It was just a disappointing result. Our game plan was to get after them and it worked well.
“It was a perfect beginning for us but the game only seemed to alter. They got a lot of ownership and the target before half-time was important to them”
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