Our writer Ian Roache gazes into his crystal ball to select the team he thinks Scotland manager Steve Clarke will pick for the play-off semi-final, providing everyone is fit and available.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
David Marshall (goalkeeper): The Wigan goalkeeper is the member of this team whose place is most secure. He is, literally, a safe pair of hands.
Liam Palmer (right-back): The Sheffield Wednesday player has looked accomplished in his right-back role and, I feel he helps free up Kieran Tierney for use elsewhere.
Andy Robertson (left-back): The national captain will be the first name on the team sheet and is ahead of Tierney for the left-back position. The Liverpool defender can be a match winner and is, in my view, the best crosser of the ball in the English Premier League.
John Souttar (centre-half): The central defensive area is where it get particularly tricky. Declan Gallagher and Scott McKenna started against Kazakhstan but I think it will be all change come March, with Hearts player Souttar getting the nod.
Kieran Tierney (centre-half): The former Celtic man has been used at centre-back before and is good enough to play anywhere along the backline. Having Palmer at right-back will allow Tierney to move inside. Let’s hope he is fit and free to play.
Scott McTominay (centre midfield – deep): The battle is between the Manchester United man and Ryan Jack of Rangers for one of the deeper-lying roles. I have watched McTominay dictate games for the Old Trafford side recently so he just pips Jack.
Callum McGregor (centre midfield – deep): The first of the three Celtic players will help out McTominay from the deeper position. McGregor deserves to stay in the side and provides energy and ability.
Ryan Christie (right midfield – advanced): The second Parkhead player seems to be getting better and better. He carries a goal threat and I feel he will end up as the player of the year at the end of this season.
James Forrest (left midfield – advanced): The final Hoops man was the bright spark in a dull first half against the Kazakhs. Like his two Celtic pals, he is capable of scoring when the teams needs it and defences don’t like it when he runs at them.
John McGinn (centre midfield – advanced): The leading light in the Scotland team. The Aston Villa midfielder has been excellent and you shudder to think where the side would be without his seven goals in six starts.
Steven Naismith (centre-forward): The Hearts man got on the scoresheet in the Kazakhstan match but it was his hold up play that really stood out against Kazakhstan. He makes room for McGinn, Christie and the rest. Dundee United fans might disagree but Clarke is likely to give the more experienced man the nod ahead of Lawrence Shankland.
Subs likely to come on: Stuart Armstrong and Lawrence Shankland.
