Sun out in Vaduz, with Scots in need of shine

BBC News

3 hours ago

There is a sleepy, summer vibe in Liechtenstein this morning. The sun is shining in this curious corner of the Alps, nestled between Switzerland and Austria.Today is Pfingstmontag or Whit Monday, a public holiday in these Germanic speaking parts. It marks the second day of Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.But for Scotland a day of overtime lies ahead as they seek redemption from recent purgatory.Given the quick turnaround from Friday, the flatness of the dismal Hampden defeat by Iceland has not dissipated.Liechtenstein are the sixth worst side in the Fifa rankings, without a competitive win in five years and they failed to even touch the ball in the Welsh penalty area in their 3-0 loss in Cardiff on Friday. But none of that does much to salve the sense of foreboding given Scotland have struggled here before.Fourteen years ago they had to huff and puff to a 1-0 win in Vaduz. That result came after Liechtenstein had stunned Hampden by taking the lead before Scotland roused themselves to a 2-1 win thanks to a Stephen McManus header in the depths of injury time.Scotland may have recently duelled it out admirably with eventual Nations League winners Portugal, but against the supposed lesser lights there is a well documented history of toil.Iran and Peru both in 1978, Costa Rica in 1990 all leap to mind. Even last summer Scotland laboured to a 2-0 victory over Gibraltar.A similar score line would suffice today from this depleted Scotland squad. But there is a trepidation when the Scots face the banana skins of world football.There is no doubt players are running on fumes. Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay are out and the squad is down to the bare bones.There are mitigating factors for Scotland. The freakish goalkeeping situation means it is likely Ross Doohan will be given the gloves. If reports are to be believed he is to be Celtic's third-choice keeper next season. That speaks volumes as to the seriousness of the situation between the sticks, which national coach Steve Clarke has recently spoke of.The manager remains an ironclad bastion of calm, at least on the surface. Monday evening has no bearing on World Cup qualifying, he says. However, he knows - everyone knows - that anything less than a Scotland win over Liechtenstein will be considered a footballing disaster.End of season and public holiday it may be, but Scotland have work to do after the boos that rang out at full-time on Friday.