Scotland Men's Football Team

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• Victory for Scotland will mean they qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1998.

• Scotland have lost just one of their past five matches against Denmark, winning three, having lost five in a row beforehand between 1986 and 2004.

• Denmark have lost seven of their nine away matches against Scotland (winning two), including the past three in a row. Their two wins were 1-0 victories in friendlies in March 1998 and August 2002, meaning they have lost all four competitive visits.

• Scotland have won 10 of their past 14 home World Cup qualifiers, including winning six of their past seven, losing just once.

• Denmark have won 10 of their past 11 away World Cup qualifiers, winning seven without conceding a goal, with Scotland being the only side to beat them, 2-0 in November 2021.

• Scotland have scored two or more goals in their past four matches (nine goals), last having a longer run between March and September 2023 when they netted multiple goals in five consecutive Euro 2024 qualifiers.

• Denmark had 35 shots in their 2-2 draw with Belarus on Saturday, their most on record in a competitive international fixture (since 2006) – 11 of them coming in the final 10 minutes.

• Skipper Andy Robertson has created the most chances (10) for Scotland in World Cup 2026 qualification, assisting in his past two. The last player to assist in three straight competitive outings for the Scots was Ryan Fraser between November 2018 and March 2019.

• Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund (with four) is the only player to have scored more goals in Group C of World Cup 2026 qualification than team-mate Mikkel Damsgaard (three), who has scored in three of his past four international appearances after going 25 straight outings without netting.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Denmark head coach Brian Riemer has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's World Cup qualifier with Scotland. The Danes need only a draw to finish top of Group C and qualify for next year's finals.

Here is a summary of what he had to say...

• Asked about a sickness bug within the squad, Riemer explained forward Rasmus Hojlund has travelled with the squad and is feeling well after missing the Belarus game but it is unclear whether he will start or be on the bench.

• Anders Dreyer, though, has stayed at home after feeling unwell when he woke up.

• Riemer described the game as "massive" and said: "I can't imagine anything that could be bigger right now. There's nothing bigger for me and for our team."

• The Denmark head coach and his players respect Scotland but have a lot of self belief.

• Riemer is full of praise for Scotland counterpart Steve Clark, saying: "He has done an amazing job over the last 5-6 years with the team, qualifying for the last two Euros."

• Despite the "bumps" during the qualifying campaign, Denmark will be "fired up" with "great players who start the game" and "great players on the bench".

• Commenting on Saturday's surprise draw with Belarus, the head coach said: "We play for a World Cup ticket tomorrow and what happened in the first game, what happened in the second game and fifth game is completely irrelevant at this stage."

• Riemer says the World Cup is the" big dream for the squad, it's the big target for the team".

• On playing at a full Hampden, the Denmark boss expects a good atmosphere and a fantastic game.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Denmark and Aberdeen goalkeeper Peter Kjaer believes Scotland can make Tuesday's Hampden showdown a "50/50" game if the Danes "don't reach their level".

The teams bring the curtain down on their Group C campaign with leaders Denmark holding a point advantage over the Scots in second.

While a draw would be good enough for the visitors, it is win or bust for Steve Clarke's men in terms of automatic World Cup qualification.

Ex-Aberdeen keeper Kjaer told BBC Scotland: "I am quite confident, but I have to say it is a game with two different teams - a skilful passing team against a team playing with heart, and that is Scotland.

"It is always difficult to even plan against a team who play with their hearts because you cannot know how they will play, the only thing you know is they will come with all they have inside and that is a difficult task.

"If Denmark reach their level, they are the better team football-wise. But if it comes to a battle and Scotland make it difficult for Denmark to play their normal game, then it is 50/50."

Both teams know they are guaranteed a place in the qualification play-offs if it doesn't go their way at Hampden.

Despite losing 3-2 in Greece on Saturday, Scotland's hopes of winning the group were kept alive by Denmark's surprise 2-2 draw with Belarus in Copenhagen.

Kjaer added: "All the Danish players, apart from the coach to be fair, said before the game: 'If we don't beat Belarus, we are not good enough to go to the World Cup'.

"The fans booed the team off which is very unusual here in Denmark. I still see (Denmark) as favourites, but Belarus had five minutes and scored two goals. Of course Scotland can do the same."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has addressed the media before Tuesday's decisive World Cup qualifier with Denmark. A win for the Scots will secure qualification to a men's World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Here's a flavour of what Clarke had to say...

• Team news: Billy Gilmour hasn't made it, he's still struggling with an injury but everyone else is fit.

• Clarke does not see Tuesday as a second opportunity after Denmark's slip-up against Belarus, saying he views this as "the first opportunity". "We've got 10 points, Denmark have got 11," he said and views getting the group down to the final game as "an achievement".

• The team will "need" the crowd behind them - "if we all work together, we can make it a great night for the country".

• Scotland "will have to get the balance right" and can't go all out attack.

• Clarke believes Denmark will come to Hampden looking to "make amends for their slip-up the other night" and will have belief.

• The Danes "are a good side, habitual qualifiers" and know what to do in a game like this.

• Clarke, who almost made to a World Cup as a player, feels "pretty calm despite the magnitude of the game", and "trusts" his players.

• The head coach believes his squad have shown they know how to qualify for tournaments, so "let's qualify for another one".

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World Cup qualification could be "written for Scotland" given the way their campaign has played out, says former midfielder Don Cowie.

Steve Clarke's side have been unconvincing throughout their qualifiers but still face a winner-takes-all showdown with Denmark on Tuesday.

A victory in that monumental game at Hampden will take the Scots to their first World Cup since 1998.

Defeat in Greece on Saturday looked certain to ruin Scotland's hopes of automatic qualification, but a shock draw between Denmark and Belarus has kept the Tartan Army's dream alive.

And in the days since, reports have emerged that there is a virus in the Danes' camp in the lead-up to a huge match in Glasgow.

"I believe we can win the game," ex-Scotland midfielder Cowie said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "Maybe it's written for us with the way the results have played out.

"It's been a long wait to get to a World Cup. I remember it myself the last time, a 15-year-old, the excitement it brought to me individually and to the country.

"It's just a massive occasion on Tuesday. Despite the result [against Greece], I think there's a lot of positivity to take from it with just the opportunities we created.

"Hampden's going to be absolutely buzzing. The atmosphere is going to be incredible because we're so close and I genuinely believe we can get the job done."

But how should head coach Clarke approach the game?

Discussing his potential team selection, former Scotland winger Pat Nevin added: "There are a lot of tough decisions to make. You've got decisions to make at centre-back - I think [John Souttar] has got to start.

"OK, you can have difficult times, but he's been great for us. He's also got a big decision to make at centre-forward because Che [Adams] missed those chances on Saturday.

"But, boy, did he work hard and hold the ball up brilliantly as the game went on. I think he had a superb game, but all people will remember are those chances."

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Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon reckons the spirit and quality shown in the second half against Greece needs to be replicated if the Scots are to topple Denmark.

Despite going down 3-2, Steve Clarke's side threatened to come back from a three-goal deficit and created multiple chances on a frustrating night.

Instead, it was Denmark's draw with Belarus which gave them a World Cup lifeline and keeping Tuesday's Danish visit to Hampden alive.

"We're just overall happy with the way we played the last 20 minutes," said Gordon.

"We're really trying to focus on the positives and take that into Tuesday, if we can take that level to Denmark, we'll give ourselves a good chance.

"The way we played in the last 20 minutes, that's the best we've played for a few games now.

"We kind of rediscovered that in the last 20 minutes, which was nice to know that's still in there.

"We're still a really good team when we play like that. The feeling from that point of view is good that we can take that into Tuesday."

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Aaron Hickey says there is enough confidence to be taken from Saturday's "frustrating" 3-2 defeat against Greece to topple Denmark and reach the World Cup.

A win against the Danes would ensure Scotland qualify for their first men's World Cup since 1998, and Brentford right-back Hickey insists Scotland are a "good team" and can take positives from their defeat against Greece.

"We just started poorly. Sometimes that happens in football, it doesn't go your way and you have to just dig in throughout the game," said the 23-year-old.

"It was frustrating, we knew we just had to get in at half-time and sort a few things out.

"In the second half, once you start to build momentum towards the end of the first half, take that into the second half and we managed to do that. We were unlucky to concede the goals.

"As you can see, when we build momentum, we're a good team. We just need to take that confidence and just roll with that."

Hickey was substituted off for Anthony Ralston for the last 15 minutes and says it was "for sure" harder being off the pitch than on it.

"Off the pitch, for sure, just having to wait and see, when you're on the pitch, you're just focussing on the game," he added.

"We were a bit disappointed with ourselves when we played, but we know we've got another game on Tuesday, a massive chance, so we just need to keep our heads up. There's no point in sulking.

"Keep positive and just try and do our best. We need to start the match better, right from the first whistle to the end and just give it everything."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 3-2 defeat against Greece. Here's what some of you said:

Justin: We cannot expect to win games with the mistakes we made against Greece and then add the chances we didn't take but nonetheless it's irrelevant, come on Scotland. The whole country is behind you.

Robert: Thank heaven for Craig Gordon, we didn't take many golden opportunities, defence wasn't good and why does it take so long for Steve Clarke to make substitutions? Why in the last minute did he send Gordon back? 3-2 or 4-2 would make no difference.

Chris: Game of two halves. Our horrendous recent performances continued and Greece should have been out of sight. Woeful defensive errors. Second half, we were much better but the substitutes we needed so much sooner. Che Adams cannot start against Denmark.

Lindsey: Our weakest area is in defence and that ultimately is why we struggle. If the midfield (hopefully with a fit Billy Gilmour) can control the play and direct it out wide, we have the capability to play to our strengths. We need to apply a positive mentality and get our best players on the ball. Tuesday is huge, sneak a win and it's job done. Lose and I don't see us going beyond any play-offs.

David: Let's forget about that first half. Who we were in that second half, that's the only team that should be showing up on Tuesday. Nothing less. If we show up with that second half, "go and make our own destiny" attitude, instead of sitting back and playing silly passes along the back line, we'll go to the World Cup. Anything less, and we're toast. Let's go, we'll do it.

Brian: It was a great second-half performance, when we play like that I almost believe we're not a bad side, it was a very good performance and we were unfortunate in the opposition 18-yard box. The best performance I have witnessed in years.

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Neil McCann on BBC Sportscene: "We have to change how we press. It's not a hard one to see. It's an easy one to walk through with the players [during their recovery].

James McFadden on BBC Sportscene: "The performance was better in the second half but ultimately we conceded three goals. There's plenty to take from the character and the response but ultimately we have to be better. We'll have to be better to beat the Danes."

Billy Dodds on BBC Sportsound: "It'll be nervy but you've got to realise the opportunity you've got and go and grasp it. Go and win the game and if you do that you're a hero again.

"I think in a weird sort of way we have that good feeling going into the game because we finished strongly going into the game whereas Denmark have blown a chance. We're a good team when we're playing but we've got to be like that from the start. We have got to be right at it and realise the opportunity on Tuesday. We've got a huge chance.

"I can't believe we've got the opportunity so make sure you don't give it up. I'm sure we're all looking forward to it and we really need to start lively and on the front foot."

Willie Miller on BBC Sportsound: "What a chance it is. There have been some dire performances, there have been performances within games that have been of a very high level. Steve Clarke said they need to show more often the good team they are and the problem is they haven't been consistent.

"But they've got this chance, a one-off chance, at home against Denmark to qualify for the World Cup. For these players too the chance to play at that level, some of them might not get another chance to play in the World Cup. They've got enough experience, enough caps, a bit of usefulness. They've got an awful lot going for them if they can find that consistency."

Michael Stewart on BBC Sportsound: "We need to take care of business against Denmark. I'm just thinking back to 2022 or 2021 when we played Denmark at Hampden and we battered them. This was a Denmark side that were on an unbeaten run, scoring goals left, right and centre and had destroyed us in Copenhagen. We battered them at Hampden.

"It's two sides that are very similar, the squads are pretty similar. The prize at the end of it, it really doesn't get any bigger. That second half performance, that's the best we've played in this campaign and it sets it up for Tuesday night perfectly. If we sit back and try to contain on Tuesday, we're not going to the World Cup."

Scotland are incredibly within one game of their first men's World Cup finals since 1998 as Denmark's draw with Belarus kept their hopes alive after a thrilling defeat in Greece.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "That's what we wanted [to still have a chance of qualifying automatically].

"We cannot concede three goals, that's hugely disappointing. We had eight or nine really big chances so we got the attacking bit right tonight but we didn't get the defensive stuff right.

"We could've come away with a draw and nobody would've said that at 3-0 down. A draw wouldn't have mattered anyway because Denmark drew.

"Winner takes all on Tuesday, that's all we could ask for. People were writing us off from the start of the group now we've got a shoot-out to win the group and it's all to play for on Tuesday.

"We heard the fans start cheering when we were 3-1 down which was a bit strange but we didn't know what went on.

"We didn't know until the end but we had a bit of a long wait.

"We're disappointed with the result today but to have a final against Denmark at home, with a play-off still in the bag, what more can you ask for?"

Scotland goalscorer Ben Gannon-Doak: "The early goal doesn't help anyone but we came out in the second half and I think we played really well.

"3-0 for any team is a bit too much but I'm a bit more pleased with the team performance this time round compared to last time. Hopefully we can take that into Tuesday because we've still got a chance.

"It's all about results and I just want what's best for the team, I'm just happy to score my first goal.

"When you're in a game like that everything else just goes out your mind. It's football, we're all competitive athletes and we just want to win at the end of the day."

Ryan Christie: "I'm disappointed to lose the game.

"It was a strange game, especially in the second half. I think in the second half the game could've finished six each, both goalies had great games.

"We're gutted because we wanted to come here and either win or draw. On the flip side of that, the other result gives us a chance on Tuesday night which we all wanted.

"It was frustrating because you work for the whole week. Greece came out the traps really well, we tried to press them but they've got great rotations. They probably deserved to go ahead. We grew into it in the latter part of the first half and I think their second and third were against the run of play.

"I knew we were still in the game. It's a bit different because in our heads we were thinking just try and get a point, just get another goal.

"I think looking at the second half, attacking-wise, it's the best we've plated in the last 18 months. We know we've shut down Denmark before and hopefully we can do it again."