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Albania v Scotland: Alex McLeish confident of right-back solution

Last updated on .From the section Scotlandcomments37

Scotland's Callum Paterson and Kieran Tierney
Callum Paterson, left, and Kieran Tierney are two options at right-back in Albania
Nations League League C, Group 1: Albania v Scotland
Venue: Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder Date: Saturday, 17 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland; live text commentary on BBC Sport website

Scotland head coach Alex McLeish is "confident" with his plan to cope with the lack of a natural right-back in his squad against Albania in Shkoder.

Kilmarnock's Stephen O'Donnell and Ryan Jack of Rangers - who can both play the role - are among eight players to have withdrawn from the Nations League game.

McLeish was speaking ahead of the withdrawal of Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, who has played on the right.

"We have the players to cope, but we'll keep that close to our chest," he said.

Callum Paterson has played right-back for Hearts but has been in scoring form in a forward role for Premier League side Cardiff City.

He could, therefore, be pressed into service in attack for Scotland in the absence of Hearts' on-loan Norwich City man Steven Naismith and Celtic's Leigh Griffiths.

"There's no doubting Callum's versatile and has a chance in different positions," McLeish said. "His form's been great for Cardiff and, wherever Neil Warnock's used him, he's been effective for them."

McLeish suggested that, when he tried Paterson in a forward role against Mexico in the summer, his players had "kept throwing in short crosses instead of hanging them up for him".

"When he's playing for Cardiff, he's playing to a particular strength," he stressed.

McLeish looks 'far and beyond' for Scotland talent

McLeish will also have to rethink his central midfield, with Aston Villa's John McGinn having joined Fulham's Kevin McDonald in withdrawing from the squad.

Callum McGregor has been used in a deeper role in recent games for Celtic in the absence of former Scotland captain Scott Brown and McLeish thinks he could do the same for the national team.

"He's the type of player that can play anywhere in the midfield - wide or in the central areas," he said. "It's not gone unnoticed where he's been playing."

McLeish's side head to Albania looking to recover from a loss to Israel - and a friendly defeat by Portugal - that leaves Scotland and Saturday's hosts three points behind group leaders Israel, who travel to Hampden for Tuesday's final game.

The head coach said he had thrown the floor open to the players at a squad meeting to suggest ways of improving the side.

"They're young guys, they don't have all the answers - I'm 59 and I still don't have all the answers," McLeish said. "But we try and learn and keep all that information inside your head going forward and use that experience as best we can.

"We have two really big games ahead of us. I know that we can do it if we play to our best performance level."

My Scotland team to face Albania

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37 comments

  • Comment posted by paul1967, at 10:34 16 Nov 2018

    Not only does McLeish not have all the answers, he doesn't know the questions. Found out years ago that he is lacking

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 10:13 16 Nov 2018

    “McLeish confident of right back solution”

    I’m glad somebody’s confident, because nothing gives me any confidence when Scotland play nowadays.

  • Comment posted by Stairheedrammy, at 12:04 16 Nov 2018

    TUP1903- seems like the 10+ years of cheating of fans and other clubs is supposed to be forgotten- a sort of public amnesia where Scotland forgets that one club cheated right up until it was liquidated. The SFA and BBC now seem to be involved in financial bail outs for the tax avoiders as the bills start arriving. That must be why Eck got the job- there is no other explanation.

  • Comment posted by U15618491, at 10:15 16 Nov 2018

    What about the wee lassie in the womans team that plays at right back ? 🤓

  • Comment posted by U15775681, at 12:25 16 Nov 2018

    @17 correct, look at @10 with his 'obsessed' comment about the single biggest piece of systematic rule breaking committed in any sport in the history of any sport.

    Let's just forget about that and appoint one of it's exponents as the national team manager and call out anyone who has a problem with that as 'obsessed'.

    We get the national team we deserve for employing McLeish.

  • Comment posted by U17066706, at 12:23 16 Nov 2018

    right back solution is the least of his worries. Eck this is a mess and you are making Bertis reign look good.

  • Comment posted by THelma, at 13:57 16 Nov 2018

    Scotland deserve a manager who commands respect of players. McL does not carry that mantle. Grant has rubbished a player in public so he commands no respect leaves McFadden who was a decent footballer but not proven as a coach. G.S. Only ran out of favour with S.F.A. who appointed a friend of chairman. Nothing changes in football.

  • Comment posted by Nio1, at 13:04 16 Nov 2018

    The problem is the manager - he commands no respect.

    I believe the view is he may be intellectually challenged....

    He has bumbled from one job to another and eventually was found out.

    Watch any one of his TV interviews.... he talks in clichés and makes no sense whatsoever. In fact half the time I wonder if hes been on the Sherry at half time.

    Scotland deserves better than this

  • Comment posted by mmowbr, at 10:41 16 Nov 2018

    #6 TC:
    Who exactly are these young players who aren’t getting a chance? Tierney? Bates? Burke? McKenna? Souttar? McTominay? Aren’t they all young players who have had their chance at big clubs? Some have taken it and done haven’t quite been up to it. I don’t think we can accuse clubs of not giving young Scottish players a chance but they’ve got to be good enough.

  • Comment posted by FNL, at 10:12 16 Nov 2018

    Just pick a team that can beat Albania. Still have enough good players to do that

  • Comment posted by Major Tom, at 15:09 16 Nov 2018

    @tup1903

    Look up Lance Armstrong (amongst others). He was a cyclist. Probably a bit more systematic than dear old Rangers when it comes to rule breaking.

    As for Mcleish... well he's completely useless isn't he? That's not because he used an EBT, it's simply because he just isn't very good at his chosen profession.

  • Comment posted by U17022295, at 14:52 16 Nov 2018

    Watch as Albania put a spanner in the works.

  • Comment posted by Arfur06, at 13:12 16 Nov 2018

    We should use both Roberston and Tierney down the left. Get them to keep switching which one is furthest forward thus confusing the opposition and they can go flat out for 10/15 minute periods as a winger before swapping and getting a rest at left back.

    My team (4-1-4-1)

    McGregor.....Tierney, McKenna, Bates, Hendry....McGregor.....Robertson, Armstrong, McTominay, Forrest........Patterson

  • Comment posted by samerulesapply, at 12:40 16 Nov 2018

    Please keep it about scotland. Rangers have suffered enough. The time to slag em is after the next draw or defeat when the "loyal" demand stevie be sacked...if you must blow kisses to their fans....😂

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 11:55 16 Nov 2018

    Tom Cairney left out as he is just back from injury yet has started the last two Fulham matches, was one of the outstanding players in the Championship last season, is playing Premiership football, and rarely gives the ball away yet is not called up, especially with McGinn pulling out, and John Fleck is? Bizarre.

  • Comment posted by U16650765, at 11:26 16 Nov 2018

    It's not rocket science Eck and I don't need a commission ;

    https://www.futwiz.com/en/fifa18/nation/scotland/rating/all/rightbacks/42/0

    Earn yer corn son.

  • Comment posted by bigbadbobbybokehead, at 11:16 16 Nov 2018

    That's some moustache Patterson has. Is movember still a thing??? Anyway as I've said before use these games and probably the next qualifiers to give all the young guys international experience . The older players haven't done it so time for a change. Where are these players???

  • Comment posted by U17253961, at 19:42 16 Nov 2018

    Yes a right back would be ideal , however 3 at the back is about to happen again, he is determined to look stupid.

  • Comment posted by U17149061, at 17:58 16 Nov 2018

    Interesting to read Danny McGrain's take on the defensive issues in the DR today. He suggested that for future games he, [McLeish] should go for a back four and either KT or AR should practice their weaker foot up to strength. " I thought he had a valid point "

    We all know that: Shankland & Dobbie are plying their trade in a lower league, but they are scoring goals!

  • Comment posted by Southsider, at 17:42 16 Nov 2018

    Orchestrated campaign against McLeish, absolutely no doubt where it is originating from.

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