(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke’s selection headache has likely eased as players like Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn return to training.
McGinn, Stephen O’Donnell and Nathan Patterson missed Wednesday’s 2-0 World Cup 2022 qualification defeat to Denmark on Wednesday due to Covid-19-related issues. Kevin Nisbet missed out too through a knock but the Aston Villa man, right-back duo and Hibs striker are all back in training ahead of the match with Moldova on Saturday.
The Aston Villa battler is back for Scotland after isolating due to Covid. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
McGinn confirmed his return on social media, saying: “Out of Covid jail and back with the boys.”
Clarke’s side take on Moldova on Saturday before another crucial qualifier against Austria next Tuesday. Scotland currently have five points from four games in Group F and victories in the remaining matches are a must if the nation is to reach the World Cup in Qatar next year.
Clarke said of the defeat in Denmark: “They blew us away a bit at the start. It was a difficult first-half for us. The Danish team started really well with good intensity and good power and pace. We had to try and weather the storm and we couldn’t do that. We conceded two goals in quick succession which made it a long long night for us.”
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