Scotland Men's Football Team

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Che Adams says Scotland respect the "amazing stars" they will face when they take on Portugal at Hampden in the Nations League on Tuesday, but believes Steve Clarke’s men have the ability to "hurt" their illustrious opponents.

The Scots gave a credible performance when the sides met in Lisbon last month and looked on course to claim a point until Cristiano Ronaldo struck late in the game to secure a 2-1 win for the hosts.

After a similar story in Zagreb against Croatia where they also lost 2-1 on Saturday, Adams says want to go "toe-to-toe" with another of the world’s top sides at Hampden.

"We know how good of a nation they are and how many amazing stars they've got, but it's down to us and what we do on the pitch," said the Torino striker.

"We've definitely got the team to hurt them and shake them about. That's what we proved against Croatia, against the top nation as well.

"Tuesday is going to be no different."

Scotland were criticised for what many perceived to be an overly-cautious approach at the Euros where they managed just one goal in three games as they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Adams believes the team has demonstrated a desire to offer more as an attacking threat in recent games.

"I've definitely seen the changes in the mentality in the attacking play against Croatia," he said.

"We played in a back four and we were definitely on the front foot and getting after them.

"I think it just helps having more bodies on the pitch to put them under pressure and create chances.

"I think we created a few against Croatia the other day and I think it just puts a positive spin on things if you have more people on the pitch to help in attack and get the ball back."

"Everyone in the nation wants us to play against the best and go toe-to-toe with them.

"Tomorrow is going to be no exception. Everyone's going to be up for it. The crowd are going to be up for it.

"As long as we start fast and we start quick, we'll be in for a good night."

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• Scotland have lost each of their last four matches against Portugal with the Scots only currently on a longer run of defeats against Belgium (six – last meeting 2019) and Brazil (six – last meeting 2011).

• Portugal won 3-1 on their last away trip to Scotland in an October 2018 friendly, but have never previously won back-to-back such games (W1 D2 L4 prior).

• Scotland have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions, each by a margin of a single goal. Never before in the nation's history have they lost five successive games.

• Portugal have won each of their last seven competitive away games by an aggregate score of 22-1. They have never won eight such fixtures in a row before in their history.

• Scotland are without a win in their last five home matches in all competitions (D2 L3), the joint-longest such run in their history after also going five without winning between November 2007 and November 2008.

• Portugal have won 15 and lost just one of their last 18 competitive internationals (D2), with that sole defeat coming to Georgia at EURO 2024 (0-2).

• Of Ryan Christie's seven goals for Scotland, four have come in the Uefa Nations League (57%). Indeed, Christie has more goal involvements in the competition (eight – four goals and four assists) than any other player for Scotland.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in all three of Portugal's Uefa Nations League games in 2024-25. The forward last netted in four successive international appearances in June 2021.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez says "Scotland are building something special" before the sides meet at Hampden on Tuesday.

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Steve Clarke says he was not aware that Tuesday's Nations League match against Portugal will see him take charge of the second-most Scotland matches ever, behind only Craig Brown.

Clarke - who took charge in 2019 - will lead Scotland for the 62nd time against the Portuguese, taking him past both Jock Stein and Andy Roxburgh.

"I didn't know that," Clarke said. "Proud, obviously, to be mentioned in the same breath as people like Mr Stein and Mr Roxburgh, who still sends me the occasional email just to keep in touch. No, listen, it's really good.

"It shows you that the players have been fantastic for us over the last five and a half years of my reign as head coach. I'd like to add a few more to the number, if I could."

Asked if catching Brown is an incentive, Clarke stressed his sole focus is leading Scotland to the 2026 World Cup, after which his contract expires.

"I want to go to the World Cup," he said.

"I believe this squad of players are good enough to go to the World Cup in 2026. That's all I'm focused on."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media this afternoon before the Nations League match against Portugal at Hampden on Tuesday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Clarke says all the players understand where the team are in the process and all are on board with it.

• He doesn't understand how anyone can doubt this group of players given they have qualified for back-to-back Euros and are competing with the top teams at the moment.

• Everyone wants Scotland to be good right now but his job is also to build for the future so the country doesn't have another period of 20 years without playing in a major finals.

• Important not to "overhype" Ben Doak as has happened in the past with other players. He wants Doak to be a talent "for the next 15 years, not the next 15 months".

• The team can take confidence from their display against Portugal in Lisbon and Clarke hopes Scotland can produce a similar performance but a better result.

Analysis of Ben Doak's performance against Croatia has been "over the top", says BBC Sport Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English.

Scotland's style under Steve Clarke depends too much on "individuals" and some of the issues could be solved by playing natural wingers, according to coach and analyst John Walker.

Clarke's side have won just one of their last 15 games, with several key players - the likes of John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey - out injured.

"Stylistically I think there's a real problem and I think it's highlighted when you lose four or five key players," Walker told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"Our style is reliant on individuals, it's not a style of play that people can slot into. It's Tierney making the back five and it changes the whole system, it's Hickey at right wing-back giving us that option because as much as Tony Ralston didn't do much to let us down, he's just not anywhere near what Hickey brings to the side.

"For me, a lot of the problems come from not playing natural wide men. I know Ben Doak started, which is a good starting point, but Ryan Christie's not a natural wide man."

Walker also expressed frustrations over the same defensive frailties costing Scotland during their recent poor run.

"I put up a clip on Twitter of us continually conceding these same goals with overlapping right wing-backs from that left side," Walker said.

"It's alarming how many of the same goals I keep seeing conceded. And our ability to try and defend the box is really questionable.

"Croatia, there was a warning sign right before we conceded that second goal from the exact same move, a switch of play to the overlapping right wing-back. It happened in the Norway game, and it also happened in the Georgia game."

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John Souttar wants Ben Doak to simply enjoy his football after the youngster impressed on his first start for Scotland.

Doak, 18, caused problems throughout Scotland's 2-1 Nations League loss against Croatia and was involved in Ryan Christie's opening goal.

However, Souttar was wary of heaping expectation on Doak at such an early stage in his international career.

"He was really good," Souttar said. "It's just important to focus on that and look at what he did without putting too much pressure on him.

"We should let him enjoy his football and give him that freedom.

"Don't put pressure on a young boy – just let him go out and perform. I thought he was excellent.

"He's 18. He's so young. He's just got to enjoy it."

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 25, hints he is targeting a return from long-term injury with Bologna against Champions League opponents Monaco on 6 November. (Record), external

Diogo Dalot warns Scotland their opponents on Tuesday, Portugal, are hitting their best form in years. (Herald - subscription), external

New Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Lewis Budinauckas, 22, has "always looked up to" Allan McGregor and hopes to follow in the 42-times capped international's footsteps. (Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Lyndon Dykes believes the "massive characters" in the Scotland dressing room will help change their recent fortunes.

Steve Clarke's side have won just one of their last 15 games, and were denied a late equaliser against Croatia on Saturday by VAR.

They sit bottom of their Nations League group with no points from three games, but Dykes insists wins are just around the corner as they prepare to take on group-leaders Portugal on Tuesday.

"We believe so much," the striker said. "We've had such a good run for a long time but it was never just going to be easy for us.

"But this is when it shows the characters of the boys, in each person that we have in this squad.

"A lot of new faces, but like I said, this is the time when it shows what characters we have in the team and we've got massive characters in there, so I'm sure it will turn around. I believe in and trust all my team-mates, coaching staff, everyone.

"I think it's only a matter of time before we can turn it around. And luckily enough, we've got a game coming up on Tuesday, which obviously isn't going to be easy again. But we've done it before and we can do it again."

Dykes admitted it has been "tough" to deal with such a run of results, but says the tight-knit nature of the squad will see them through.

"Football is tough when you're on a long run and you're not winning games," he added. "Especially after the results that we did have, winning and changing the way that the Scotland national team had been for years.

"It isn't going well but we've still got the same players, the same characters, plus new ones that have been and done it before against big teams. It's just one of those things at the moment, that it's tough, but we're going to get through it.

"We have to just make sure we're all together as we are, because we're a massive family."

We asked for your thoughts after Scotland's 2-1 Nations League loss away to Croatia.

Here's what you had to say:

David: Decent performance, final ball or lack of taking shots is costing us. Also they scored two similar goals with a cross to a lingering free man at the back in all the space in the world, schoolboy stuff.

Anon: I thought Scotland played well in the first half but once Croatia turned the screw we didn't have an answer. Making two subs with 13 minutes left on the clock is just not good enough. I like Steve Clarke as a manager and think he has done amazing but he seems to be running out of ideas.

Allan: For the third game in a row, Scotland did not deserve to lose. Another decent performance against a good side. With a few more players fit again, Scotland will do OK. Ben Doak needs to be included from now on as well, he makes a difference.

Garrie: One win in 15 matches (and that was against Gibraltar) is absolutely dire. We were probably the worst team at Euro 2024 and are going nowhere fast, pathetic.

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Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists there are positives to take from Saturday's 2-1 Nations League defeat in Zagreb.

Steve Clarke's side thought they had snatched a dramatic late draw, but Kristijan Jakic's own goal was ruled out for offside against Che Adams following a VAR check.

It means Scotland have won just one of their last 15 outings, but Gordon - who won his 76th cap having been left out of the summer's Euros squad - says they can bounce back against Portugal on Tuesday.

"We are disappointed, because we put in a performance we thought was worthy of taking something from the game," the veteran keeper said.

"We had good chances but just didn't take them. That seems to be the story of this Nations League but we have another game to look forward to now, we have another chance to get some points on the board and we have to focus on that."

"The boys gave everything. Defensively we were chucking ourselves in front of things when we had to, we defended our box well and carried a really good threat.

"In terms of what we worked on during the week a lot of it came off. We worked the ball really nicely. Another good performance but we can't keep saying that, we need to take results."

Scotland have now lost all three of their Nations League games by a one-goal margin, but Gordon says if they continue to work hard, the results will come.

"We are not far away," he said. "It's always going to be difficult when you come against pot one teams. You are going to have play really well to get anything from a game, especially an away game.

"We need to stick with it (the game plan), stick with each other and come back and show that fight again in the next game."

Croatia great Luka Modric praises Scotland for their performance in Saturday's Nations League loss. (Record), external

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon urges Scotland to bounce back after their third Nations Leagued defeat out of three. (Herald - subscription), external

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie has bought a £580,000 apartment in St Andrews. (Sun), external

Southampton manager and former Scotland and Rangers defender Russell Martin has three games to save his job. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "I thought we were brave with the ball. We tried to play, tried to create chances. On another night we would've got what we deserved.

"There's so much disappointment in the dressing room that it's probably better to wait until we get back to Glasgow to analyse the game, but I feel like we're on the right path.

"We haven't regressed. We just have to keep believing, keep pushing away.

"We felt as though we managed to rescue a point and then that's taken away, so you can understand why [the players] are really down just now.

"We'll go away lick our wounds and prepare to go again on Tuesday night."