UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifiers
Scotland v Russia
Friday, 6 September 2019, kick-off 7.45pm
Hampden Park
Scotland take on Russia this Friday in the first of an eagerly anticipated double header at Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke’s men lie in fourth place of Group I currently, three points off second placed Russia who won their last match against Cyprus 1-0.
The match on Friday will be crucial for Scotland’s qualification hopes and while they have a play-off spot already in the bag, points will be vital if they wish to finish in the top two of their EURO 2020 qualification pool.
Ranked two places ahead of Scotland in the FIFA World Rankings, Russia will go into the match with confidence having scored 15 goals in just four games so far during qualification.
Previous meetings
Scotland have only ever played Russia on two previous occasions, in qualifying for Euro 96. Their first encounter was in 1994 at Hampden Park where a Scott Booth goal sealed a point in front of a crowd of 31,254 against a side containing Andrei Kanchelskis. The away leg occurred four months later in Moscow with neither side able to find the goal.
Team News
Both Grant Hanley and Liam Palmer were unable to meet up with the squad through injury, meaning David Bates and Mikey Devlin were late call-ups.
Greg Taylor is available for selection following his deadline day move to Celtic.
Pre-match thoughts
Scott McTominay said: “The manager has come in and got everyone's attention straight away.
"It's positive to have someone of that magnitude managing the national team. All the players have fully bought into everything the new gaffer is saying.
“All his ways on and off the pitch are really different.
"I'm really impressed. You can tell by little things in the meetings and on the training pitch, he is so dedicated and goes into every little detail. That's amazing for us because you need those fine margins in international football, they can win or lose you matches.
"Everyone is competing against each other to try to get in the 11 and that competition is healthy. The players want that, they don't want to come and know it will be easy to get in the team.
"They have to put their heart on their sleeve and work to get in the starting 11, and that can only stand us in good stead.
"The Russia game is a must win and a must not lose. From the start, everyone knows their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.
"Now it's down to us to get the results and hopefully progress to the Euros."
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online until midnight on Thursday, and on matchday at the ticket kiosks outside Hampden's West Stand from 10am. They are priced from £27 for adults and from £8 for juniors.
Ticket Collection
If you are collecting your tickets on matchday the ticket kiosks will be open from 2pm up until kick-off. You will find the ticket kiosks outside the West Stand.
Pre-match activity
There will be a fan zone outside the William Hill South Stand. The fun will get under way from 5.45pm up until 7.10pm. Activities include face painters, Teqball, freestylers, photo opportunities plus Hexagol – a new exciting interactive football arena that has six challenging games.
On approach to the stadium you will be greeted by a piper and JD Sports will be on hand outside the West Stand for any last minute merchandise purchases.
In stadium, Scottish rockers Idlewild will be playing live from 7.15pm.
National anthems are due at 7.40pm before the game kicks-off at 7.45pm.
Travel Information
Please be aware that there are roadworks currently in place on Polmadie Road – journey times may be affected. For more travel information please visit here.
First Bus are running a dedicated express service to and from the game, picking up from Glasgow City Centre and dropping off near Hampden and vice-versa.
Learn more about the First Bus dedicated service
Hampden Park Visitor Information
For more information on visiting Hampden Park on an international matchday click here
Where to watch
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with BBC Radio Scotland providing live radio commentary. Kick-off for the match is at 7.45pm on Friday night.
Updates will also be available via the official @ScotlandNT Twitter account.