WORLD SERVICE
ISRAEL
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
A trio of formidable strikers.
Guangzhou’s Eran Zahavi - who
netted 11 goals in qualification - Moanes
Dabour of Hoffenheim and the prolific
Shon Weissman, on the score-sheet
week in and week out for Austrian
side Wolfsberger.2
The tactical acumen of twin-
defensive midfielders, skipper Bibras
Natkho and Beram Kayal. As a former
Celtic player, Kayal could be particularly
valuable on his return to Scotland.3
Manor Solomon’s trickery on the
wing. Memorably scored for Shakhtar
in a Champions League tie against
Manchester City last autumn.Three Fear Factors1
Andi Herzog’s side hardly covered
themselves with glory in qualification,
finishing fifth out of six teams and winning
only three of their 10 games, which was
their worst campaign for 24 years. “We
are not professional enough,” declared
a visibly upset Herzog.Scotland v Israel
SCOTLAND
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
Andy Robertson. The feisty attack-
conscious left-back has to be one
of the most-improved players in world
football. If Scotland are to qualify he
must lead the charge and needs to set
the pro-active tone.2
The massive advantage of playing in
front of the Hampden Roar. Nothing
like a vociferous Glaswegian “welcome”
to put the opposition off their stride.3
After starting last year as a defensive
midfielder with zero international
goals, John McGinn is now a completely
different animal, ending 2019 with a new
attacking midfield role and no fewer than
seven goals for the Scots.Three Fear Factors1
It is 22 long years since Scotland last
took part in a major international
tournament – at France 98 –and such
a drought of that magnitude only
increases the pressure.2
A habit of conceding too many soft
goals – which is not surprising given
the scant continuity at the back. In
qualifying, they had six different
partnerships at the heart of the back line.3
Recent memories of under-
achievement. The humiliating 3-0
defeat in Kazakhstan and a thoroughly
unconvincing 2-0 win in San Marino are
the sort of slipshod displays which have
the Tartan Army screaming in frustration.2
Marked defensive shortcomings
include poor positional play and
a failure to stop crosses into the box.3
Herzog’s disrupted preparations.
The former Austrian international
playmaker and his assistant, Willi
Ruttensteiner, recently had to spend
a fortnight in coronavirus quarantine.Impressive...Eran Zahavi scored 11 times in qualificationImproved...
Andy Robertson