Scotland prepare to face Albania on Saturday evening in a Nations League fixture which could make or break their chances of topping the group, and Alex McLeish has a big decision to make at centre-forward.
Whilst the Nations League may lack the glamour which the traditional big tournaments provide, it has proven to be quietly successful so far.
A happy medium between the intensity of a tournament fixture and a lifeless friendly appears to have been struck, and Scotland will be taking their trip to Albania seriously on Saturday with the chance to move top of the group staring them in the face.
McLeish has selected centre-forwards Oliver McBurnie, Steven Fletcher, Matt Phillips and Johnny Russell for the anticipated clash, but who will he opt to start at the spearhead of his attack?
Let’s take a look at two of the Championship strikers who the Scotland manager will need to choose between tomorrow…
Oliver McBurnie
A strong physical presence in the final-third, McBurnie has been a nuisance for Graham Potter’s Swansea side this season.
He hasn’t been completely prolific but a return of 7 goals and 2 assists from 17 Championship appearances is enough to suggest that he will play a pivotal role in his side’s push for promotion.
McBurnie will guarantee determination, work-rate and a commanding aerial presence, and if he is presented with a chance inside the penalty area he possesses the poachers instinct to find the net.
Considering the quality of McBurnie’s performances in recent weeks and the fact he started Scotland’s most recent fixture against Portugal, expect to see him searching for his first international goal from the outset tomorrow.
TT Grade: A Steven Fletcher
At 31-years-of-age Fletcher is something of a veteran who is beginning to wind down his career.
With 31 caps and 9 goals to his name Fletcher has a wealth of experience which puts him at an advantage over McBurnie, but he isn’t the player he once was.
Despite his age, Fletcher has still made 11 starts for the club this season, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.
But McLeish needs to start looking towards the future and trusting in the next generation of talent, so it’s near-certain that the Sheffield Wednesday hitman will be taking his place on the substitutes bench when the game kicks off tomorrow night.
TT Grade: B The Verdict:
McBurnie and Fletcher are two solid Championship strikers who will serve their respective clubs well in the race for promotion, but on international duty there is only one winner.
The Swansea City ace is a player who could make all the difference as Scotland bid to overcome a tricky looking fixture against Albania, and McLeish simply must play him from the outset to give his side every chance of claiming three points.