Scotland v Poland

[betting competition]

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scotland-to-play-poland-in-support-of-ukraine-fundraising-appeal/?rid=13925

Andy Robertson and Robert Lewandowski have thrown their support behind a fundraising friendly between Scotland and Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday, 24 March – with a £10 donation from each ticket sold supporting UNICEF’s humanitarian response in Ukraine.

The respective national team captains and UNICEF ambassadors are encouraging football fans to come together to fill Hampden and raise crucial funds to support UNICEF’s emergency appeal.

The UNICEF emergency appeal raises essential funds to support families and their children within Ukraine, and those that have been displaced to neighbouring countries, but ensuring child health and protection services are sustained and families have clean water and nutritious food.

The match was arranged following FIFA’s decision to postpone the FIFA World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final against Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, and the cancellation of Poland’s scheduled tie with Russia.

Steve Clarke will name his squad tomorrow following extensive talks between the Scottish FA and Polish FA to give the hastily arranged friendly a wider purpose.

Tickets will go on sale at 1pm on Tuesday, 15 March – exclusively to Scotland Supporters Club members – before going on general sale at 1pm on Thursday, 17 March.

For every ticket sold, £10 will be donated to UNICEF UK’s emergency appeal for Ukraine, and supporters will have the opportunity to make an additional donation if they wish during the ticket purchase process, with a special donate button on the web page directing to UNICEF UK’s appeal.

A sold-out Hampden would mobilise a significant six-figure contribution for UNICEF UK’s appeal for Ukraine. Organisers will announce additional ways in which supporters can get behind the fundraising in the build-up to the match.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson: “As a father, the images of children in Ukraine has been heart-breaking to watch. I am a proud ambassador for UNICEF and when we were informed that the match against Ukraine would be postponed then working in partnership with Robert and the Polish squad to do our bit to help the situation was a no-brainer.

“We send our love and prayers to our fellow participants across Ukraine’s football community and hope that the money raised by this match will help the tremendous efforts already made by UNICEF in Ukraine and in helping the refugee situation.”

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell: “It goes without saying that our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. All football-related matters pale into insignificance next to what the people of that country are experiencing.

“Along with the counterparts at the Polish FA, we hope to use this friendly international as our chance to show solidarity with a country and its people, while raising as much money to help them as we can in the process.” 

Scotland National Team Head Coach Steve Clarke: “We’ve seen wonderful examples of individuals and groups within Scottish football rally with their own contributions towards the situation in recent weeks. With the support of UNICEF, this match is a way for all Scottish football fans to unite in solidarity and support our friends in Ukraine.

“As many have already said, football is unimportant when you see the situation in Ukraine. I know that the Scotland supporters and the players will rally to show that the power of football can have a positive impact even during such desperate situations as the one faced in Ukraine at present.” 

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at The UK Committee for UNICEF: “The escalating conflict in Ukraine continues to pose an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children. The situation is deteriorating, with more families every day forced to leave their homes in search of safety. That is why we are intensifying our action on the ground.

“Being involved in this fundraising friendly allows us to continue our aid for those that need it most. In practical terms this means providing children and their families with as access to clean water and nutritious food and making sure that child health and protection services are sustained”

Scotland Supporters Club members can purchase tickets from £5 for juniors and £20 for adult members from 1pm on Tuesday, 15 March.

Sales will then be opened up to the general public on Thursday, 17 March, with junior prices for individual matches from £5 and adult prices from £25.

Ticket Prices

Edited March 14, 2022 by betting competition

[welldaft]

I am assuming they have to pay the Poland teams costs to get this game on. Excluding the £10 for charity is £20(South Stand)) for a friendly is maybe a little much ? 

Also quite late notice for some fans I would assume. Anyway hope there is a decent turn out. 

[dundeefc1783]

Planning on heading through for this with the kids. Will be there first trip to Hampden and my first time at Hampden in years. Thinking East or West stand to keep cost down, any tips of best sections/areas to sit?

[Am Featha Taigh Nan Clach]

Do Poland have to play their final a few days after this?

[lubo_blaha]

I am assuming they have to pay the Poland teams costs to get this game on. Excluding the £10 for charity is £20(South Stand)) for a friendly is maybe a little much ? 
Also quite late notice for some fans I would assume. Anyway hope there is a decent turn out. 

Prices are fantastic for a friendly against a good side with a £10 donation included.

If they were any lower then you’d only be making £5 off members (of which there are now 35,000+) in the East and West stands, which wouldn’t cover the costs of putting the game on.

[betting competition]

6 minutes ago, Menga Bus said:

Personally think it is a little on the expensive side, hopefully doesn’t stop us from getting a full house. As for how the game will go, I’m split between Poland resting all of their stars to avoid injury, and them going full strength to get a proper test in before their final. 

I look at it differently my ticket is £15 and a £10 donation to a great cause. 

[DiegoDiego]

Also quite late notice for some fans I would assume. Anyway hope there is a decent turn out. 

I imagine a huge number of fans took the Friday off work/booked transport as soon as the home semi was announced.

[Dunfermline Don]

I had cancelled the holidays I had taken for the playoffs and agreed to work (I work in the care sector and normally do 24 hour shifts) so felt a bit aw never mind, when the friendly was announced.
However my manager has just changed my rota from that week and I am off that day so it looks like I will be taking my lad to the game.

[HibeeJibee]

2 hours ago, Am Featha *****h Nan Clach said:

Do Poland have to play their final a few days after this?

Correct.

Effectively facing 'Poland B' most probably.

[HIT THE CHANNEL]

Do friendlies/this game count towards loyalty points, does anyone know?

[Scotty Tunbridge]

Hope Marshall gets a sympathy cap in this to get him closer to 50.

[LoonsYouthTeam]

Do friendlies/this game count towards loyalty points, does anyone know?

They normally would, think the only way this would be an exception would be the late nature of it, but I'd think it'd count.

Has anybody seen a kickoff time announced?

[Jambomo]

7 hours ago, LoonsYouthTeam said:

They normally would, think the only way this would be an exception would be the late nature of it, but I'd think it'd count.

Has anybody seen a kickoff time announced?

No but I’d imagine it would be the same. I get the feeling this is just set up to fulfil the match commitment, especially for the fans,  so would expect those things to stay the same. 

[Arch Stanton]

13 hours ago, dundeefc1783 said:

Planning on heading through for this with the kids. Will be there first trip to Hampden and my first time at Hampden in years. Thinking East or West stand to keep cost down, any tips of best sections/areas to sit?

Near the back if you want to see the goalmouth at the far end.

[Pie Of The Month]

13 hours ago, dundeefc1783 said:

Planning on heading through for this with the kids. Will be there first trip to Hampden and my first time at Hampden in years. Thinking East or West stand to keep cost down, any tips of best sections/areas to sit?

Friendlies normally have the SFA doing ticket deals in the East stand for youth football teams or community groups which result in a few adults being responsible for 20-30 children and it can be brutal to sit near even if you're bringing your own kids along. Belgium a few years back where the SFA handed out free vuvuzelas was a particular lowlight although it's possible it may be different now as I don't think we've had a home friendly since the team improved and crowds started to get bigger.

I'd recommend trying to get tickets in the West stand as close to the North as possible.

[Pocketman]

From BBC. Good article I thought though if looking at the MLS, Morgan and Russell worthy if a reference along with Gauld when looking at bolstering attacking options:

 

Scotland may be facing a three-month wait before their eagerly awaited World Cup play-off semi-final, but Steve Clarke will have plenty to ponder in the coming days and weeks.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has rightly delayed the latter's Hampden date with the Scots until June after Fifa granted a request to push back the fixture.

Instead of gearing up for that, the Scotland boss will name his squad on Tuesday to face Poland and then either Austria or Wales in friendlies later this month, in what will be the final dress rehearsal before facing Ukraine.

So what questions may be answered in the upcoming two matches, and what do we know already about this Scotland group?

Question mark over right back?

Motherwell captain Stephen O'Donnell was an inspiration for Scotland in the draw with England at Wembley last summer at Euro 2020, and so often he's been Clarke's go-to man at right-back.

But the defender, who has 24 caps to his name, has been part of a Well backline which has struggled for form, clean sheets and victories, with the Fir Park skipper's side not winning in the league since Boxing Day. 

Nathan Patterson has been a revelation on the right side of Scotland's defence, accumulating six caps, a goal and an appearance at the Euros for the national side. However, he has only played 45 minutes of first-team football since moving to Everton.

This isn't likely to overly worry Clarke, as he's never been apprehensive about throwing fellow performance school graduate Billy Gilmour into his sides despite a lack of game time. But should he waver, is there a realistic alternative who is yet to be tested?

Aaron Hickey has reportedly turned down Under-21 call ups, but when you're starting every week in Serie A, you have to imagine a first-team appearance is what he's targeting. 

The "is he a left-back or a right-back?" debate has been a contentious topic for many of the Tartan Army, could they be about to get an answer? 

This may also be the time for Anthony Ralston, who has shone for Celtic this season, to build on his one cap garnered last year

Tough at the top?

With Hibs confirming striker Kevin Nisbet is set to miss at least seven months of football after damaging knee ligaments, and Lyndon Dykes having not played for a month at Queens Park Rangers, at least one new attacker is likely to come into the national set-up.

Jacob Brown is the latest attacking option to join up with the squad, with Clarke in the stands to watch him notch his 10th goal of the season for Stoke City at the weekend.

Ross Stewart, or the 'Loch Ness Drogba' as he is known to some, may well be on a long list thanks to his 22 goals and three assists in 37 League One appearances this season at Sunderland. 

The former Kilwinning Rangers man admitted a Scotland call-up would be a "surreal" experience for him, telling BBC Scotland his improbable route in football would make it all the more special. 

Ryan Gauld is always high on the list of fans' wishes and the MLS season is back up and running as of just last month. While he may not fit in the jigsaw puzzle as a traditional attacker, he's certainly a player who would add firepower, creativity and perhaps settle another Tartan Army debate.

A more recognised shout currently playing his football up here? Tony Watt thrust himself into the spotlight at Motherwell as he blazed his way to the top of the pre-Christmas Premiership scoring charts. However, with just one goal in his last 11 outings, coupled with a recent injury, his inclusion may be in the "unlikely" category.

Livingston's Bruce Anderson, with 11 Premiership goals to his name, may also be an outside shout.

If it isn't broken, don't fix it

The upcoming two games may be inconsequential in a competitive sense, but Clarke and his team will be using the games as dress rehearsals to fine-tune this side ahead of the play-off game when it comes around.

He's never been a manager to rip up the team sheet and start afresh, and it is a pretty safe bet this will be a time for tinkering, not tearing apart.

Scotland have won their last six matches, keeping clean sheets in five of those while averaging 1.7 goals per game. 

Being able to continue to build that momentum and continuity could be key to bringing Qatar that one step closer.

[General dissaray]

32 minutes ago, KingRocketman II said:

From BBC. Good article I thought though if looking at the MLS, Morgan and Russell worthy if a reference along with Gauld when looking at bolstering attacking options:

 

Scotland may be facing a three-month wait before their eagerly awaited World Cup play-off semi-final, but Steve Clarke will have plenty to ponder in the coming days and weeks.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has rightly delayed the latter's Hampden date with the Scots until June after Fifa granted a request to push back the fixture.

Instead of gearing up for that, the Scotland boss will name his squad on Tuesday to face Poland and then either Austria or Wales in friendlies later this month, in what will be the final dress rehearsal before facing Ukraine.

So what questions may be answered in the upcoming two matches, and what do we know already about this Scotland group?

Question mark over right back?

Motherwell captain Stephen O'Donnell was an inspiration for Scotland in the draw with England at Wembley last summer at Euro 2020, and so often he's been Clarke's go-to man at right-back.

But the defender, who has 24 caps to his name, has been part of a Well backline which has struggled for form, clean sheets and victories, with the Fir Park skipper's side not winning in the league since Boxing Day. 

Nathan Patterson has been a revelation on the right side of Scotland's defence, accumulating six caps, a goal and an appearance at the Euros for the national side. However, he has only played 45 minutes of first-team football since moving to Everton.

This isn't likely to overly worry Clarke, as he's never been apprehensive about throwing fellow performance school graduate Billy Gilmour into his sides despite a lack of game time. But should he waver, is there a realistic alternative who is yet to be tested?

Aaron Hickey has reportedly turned down Under-21 call ups, but when you're starting every week in Serie A, you have to imagine a first-team appearance is what he's targeting. 

The "is he a left-back or a right-back?" debate has been a contentious topic for many of the Tartan Army, could they be about to get an answer? 

This may also be the time for Anthony Ralston, who has shone for Celtic this season, to build on his one cap garnered last year

Tough at the top?

With Hibs confirming striker Kevin Nisbet is set to miss at least seven months of football after damaging knee ligaments, and Lyndon Dykes having not played for a month at Queens Park Rangers, at least one new attacker is likely to come into the national set-up.

Jacob Brown is the latest attacking option to join up with the squad, with Clarke in the stands to watch him notch his 10th goal of the season for Stoke City at the weekend.

Ross Stewart, or the 'Loch Ness Drogba' as he is known to some, may well be on a long list thanks to his 22 goals and three assists in 37 League One appearances this season at Sunderland. 

The former Kilwinning Rangers man admitted a Scotland call-up would be a "surreal" experience for him, telling BBC Scotland his improbable route in football would make it all the more special. 

Ryan Gauld is always high on the list of fans' wishes and the MLS season is back up and running as of just last month. While he may not fit in the jigsaw puzzle as a traditional attacker, he's certainly a player who would add firepower, creativity and perhaps settle another Tartan Army debate.

A more recognised shout currently playing his football up here? Tony Watt thrust himself into the spotlight at Motherwell as he blazed his way to the top of the pre-Christmas Premiership scoring charts. However, with just one goal in his last 11 outings, coupled with a recent injury, his inclusion may be in the "unlikely" category.

Livingston's Bruce Anderson, with 11 Premiership goals to his name, may also be an outside shout.

If it isn't broken, don't fix it

The upcoming two games may be inconsequential in a competitive sense, but Clarke and his team will be using the games as dress rehearsals to fine-tune this side ahead of the play-off game when it comes around.

He's never been a manager to rip up the team sheet and start afresh, and it is a pretty safe bet this will be a time for tinkering, not tearing apart.

Scotland have won their last six matches, keeping clean sheets in five of those while averaging 1.7 goals per game. 

Being able to continue to build that momentum and continuity could be key to bringing Qatar that one step closer.

Sirki Dembele would be better than Watt and Anderson in my opinion plus we would steal him over the Ivory Coast,wouldn't actually mind if a form player got in though and wee Anderson has been doing well would be good seeing a Livvy player get a cap to you only have to see what Martindale did with Dykes to see how he can improve wondering championship players on loan cos they can't cut teams like a bad Aberdeen side

[Scotty Tunbridge]

6 minutes ago, General dissaray said:

Sirki Dembele would be better than Watt and Anderson in my opinion plus we would steal him over the Ivory Coast,wouldn't actually mind if a form player got in though and wee Anderson has been doing well would be good seeing a Livvy player get a cap to you only have to see what Martindale did with Dykes to see how he can improve wondering championship players on loan cos they can't cut teams like a bad Aberdeen side

Dembele is predominately a winger. Anderson & Watt are strikers.

[General dissaray]

8 minutes ago, Scotty Tunbridge said:

Dembele is predominately a winger. Anderson & Watt are strikers.

Dembele played in a 442 now they use 3 4 1 2 at Peterborough when Ivan Tony left he can play both as a winger and a striker he is a very good player and his pace alone would be a great weapon to throw on when Adams tiers presuming its one up top like against Denmark 

If it isn't we will need another striker to come one that is as quik as both of them

Edited March 15, 2022 by General dissaray

[eez-eh]

He left Peterborough at the end of January. Bournemouth have been using him out wide in a front 3.