Euro 2020 qualifying: Scotland v Cyprus – Brophy starts up front

Peter Houston

Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: It’s a must-win but we will have to break down a stubborn defence. We have to be patient and get the wide players on the ball. An early goal would make a big, big difference for Scotland

It’s a must-win but we will have to break down a stubborn defence. We have to be patient and get the wide players on the ball. An early goal would make a big, big difference for Scotland

Liam McLeod

BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

The captain of Scotland’s more successful national football team is watching from Nice…

Not long until kick off at Hampden. Both sides are out on the lush surface ahead of the national anthems.

Steve Clarke, in the dugout for his first game in charge of Scotland, cuts a relaxed figure.

Flower of Scotland gets big licks from the Tartan Army.

Craig Beattie

Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: Scott Bain might feel a bit hard done by, but David Marshall is hugely experienced; he’s a good communicator and a great shot-stopper

Scott Bain might feel a bit hard done by, but David Marshall is hugely experienced; he’s a good communicator and a great shot-stopper

Jane Lewis

BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

Cyprus show four changes from the side that lost 2-0 at home to Belgium.

Anorthosis Famagusta’s Michalis Ioannou is handed his international debut at the age of 18 in midfield, while Apollon Limassol’s Matija Spoljaric earns his third cap beside him.

As expected, fit-again Copenhagen striker Pieros Sotiriou starts up front after coach Ran Ben Shimon went for a more defensive line-up against the world number ones.

Indeed, AEL Limassol forward Andreas Makris also starts in a surprisingly attacking line-up that also includes former Rangers and Dundee winger Georgios Efrem, who is captain.

Minas Antoniou drops to the bench, while defender Giorgos Merkis and Fotios Papoulis miss out through injury and centre-half Dossa Junior was dropped from the squad after starting against Belgium.

Peter Houston

Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: It’s an attack-minded side. We’ve got pace down the sides and the one thing we know about Eamonn Brophy is that he can finish. He is selfish in the right areas

It’s an attack-minded side. We’ve got pace down the sides and the one thing we know about Eamonn Brophy is that he can finish. He is selfish in the right areas

The sides have played one another five times – and Scotland have a 100% record.

But Cypriot football has made advances since their last meeting – a 2-1 away win for the Scots in Larnaca in 2011 – with APOEL, Apollon Limassol and AEK Larnaca all recording good runs in either the Champions League or Europa League.

However, the national side have only won two of their last 15 matches – and haven’t tasted victory in eight matches on the road since a 2-1 success in Gibraltar in June 2017.

Scotland have won six and lost eight of their last 15 games, winning three and losing four of their seven home matches during that time.

Former St Mirren and Ross County full-back Stelios Demetriou says his countrymen will come to Hampden believing “these are the games you have to get something out of” if they are to qualify.

Indeed, the 28-year-old thinks it will be a tight game, with either side likely to scrape a 1-0 win.

Demetriou is a bit of a hero from his time with St Mirren but won’t be adding to his one Cyprus cap this time round having fallen out of favour since his January move to Macclesfield Town and subsequent release.

Quote Message: The goal for Cyprus is qualification for the finals and they believe that, although it is a difficult group, this generation of players is capable thanks to APOEL, Apollon Limassol and AEK Larnaca’s exploits in the Europa League. I am not so sure from Simon Pafitis Cypriot journalist with goal.com

The goal for Cyprus is qualification for the finals and they believe that, although it is a difficult group, this generation of players is capable thanks to APOEL, Apollon Limassol and AEK Larnaca’s exploits in the Europa League. I am not so sure

Tom English

BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer

There’s no Leigh Griffiths, there’s no Steven Naismith and there’s no Steven Fletcher. So, when you’re missing your top three strikers, then why not roll the dice with a guy you know very well and a guy you’ve improved hugely?

I thought Steve Clarke was going to go with Eamonn Brophy because of the familiarity.

Steve Clarke is being tipped to take his success with Premiership outfit Kilmarnock into his Scotland tenure.

“What he’s done at club level is incredible and very under-valued,” says Scotland striker Steven Naismith.

“In years to come, we’ll look back and see how well he’s done. He’s been unbelievable and I don’t think he could’ve done any more with Kilmarnock.

“For me as a Scotland player, he’s a great appointment and I think the whole country is united in that.”