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Cyprus vs Scotland LIVE: Tartan Army look to continue run to close in on Euros

talksport.com, 5 September 2023, 14:48
Scotland will look to all but guarantee their Euro 2024 spot when they take on Cyprus this week.

The Tartan Army sit top of Group A ahead of Spain having won their opening four qualifiers for the first time in their history.

Steve Clarke's side now need just five more points from their remaining four qualifiers to cement their place in Germany.

And a clash with Cyprus represents a great opportunity to put one foot in the finals, with the group minnows bottom on zero points.

Cyprus are ranked 118th in the world and were trampled 3-0 by Scotland in the reverse fixture in March.

Cyprus vs Scotland: How to follow

This Euro 2024 qualifier will be played on Friday, September 8.

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The Group A game will be played at the AEK ARENA in Cyprus, with kick-off set for 7:45pm.

It will be broadcast live on Viaplay Sports 1 with their coverage starting at 7pm.

Fans can subscribe to Viaplay for £14.99 per month and can watch the game on their TV or website.

Cyprus vs Scotland: Team news

Scotland are sweating on the fitness of QPR striker Lyndon Dykes after he's missed the last three club games with a knee injury.

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The Scots are already without Liam Cooper and Grant Hanley due to damaged foot ligaments and a ruptured Achilles respectively.

However, Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson could be making his senior international debut.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly

Defenders: Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Porteous, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Stuart Armstrong, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Ryan Jack, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay

Forwards: Che Adams, Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes, Kevin Nisbet, Lawrence Shankland

Cyprus vs Scotland: What has been said?

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay insisted earlier this year that his teammates are not guaranteed of their spot in Germany just yet.

Speaking after the win over Georgia, McTominay said: "We knew it was really important to build on the other day when we came back.

"We will look to build on this but the job isn't done until we've got definite qualification.

"We'll go about our jobs and the spirit is one of the best I've seen. That showed in Norway when everyone was off the bench screaming and celebrating together."

Cyprus vs Scotland: Match facts

Andy Robertson has won 64 caps for Scotland and could become only the 10th outfield Scottish player to win 65 caps for his country and the first to hit that tally since Darren Fletcher in November 2014.

Scott McTominay has scored five goals in his last four appearances for Scotland, having scored just once in his first 37 caps for the national side. The only two players to score more goals in a single year for Scotland this century are Steven Fletcher in 2015 (7) and John McGinn in 2019 (7).

Scotland have won their last 10 group stage matches in qualifying for major tournaments (World Cup/Euros), stretching back to September 2021. It is the longest ongoing run of any European nation currently.

Cyprus are winless in nine games against the British home nations (D3 L6) since they beat Wales 3-1 in a European Championship qualifier in October 2007.

Scotland have won 14 of their last 20 matches in all competitions (D3 L3), including all four European Championship qualifiers in this campaign. It's their most wins across a 20-game span since a run of 14 wins in 20 matches between 1975 and 1978.

Cyprus have lost their last six European Championship qualifiers since a 2-1 win against Kazakhstan in 2019. It's their longest losing run in Euro qualifiers since losing 12 in a row between 1987 and 1994.

Scotland have won seven major tournament qualifying matches against Cyprus (four World Cup, three Euros), only winning more against the Faroe Islands and San Marino (8).

Cyprus have lost all eight of their internationals against Scotland, scoring six times and conceding 27 across these defeats, shipping at least two goals in every game.

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