Talking points as Scotland head to France for friendly

Scotland take on France in a friendly in Lille knowing they are going to Germany next summer.

Steve Clarke’s men qualified for their second successive Euros on Sunday night when Norway were defeated by Spain in Oslo.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points around the match in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Approach to a friendly match

He’s given us plenty of reasons to sing this one recently

@mctominay10 pic.twitter.com/wC4ybnqHGb

— Schottland (Q) (@ScotlandNT) October 16, 2023

Given that Scotland have qualified for Germany next summer, Clarke will reshuffle his pack. However, after five straight wins in the qualifiers, the Scots have lost their last two matches, 2-0 to Spain in Seville and 3-1 to England at Hampden in the 150th anniversary heritage match. Scotland have dropped behind Spain on goal difference but finishing top is still an ambition and he will not want to go into next month’s double-header against Georgia and Norway on the back of three defeats.

The goalkeeper situation

Norwich City’s Angus Gunn has established himself as number one following the injury to Craig Gordon. The other two keepers in the squad, Motherwell’s Liam Kelly and Zander Clark of Hearts, have yet to make an appearance. This is a good opportunity to ensure one or both get some game time before going to Germany next summer. Will Clarke take it?

Full-back fall-out