Kenny McLean and his Scotland teammates are "desperate" for a positive result against "top nation" Croatia in the Nations League as they prepare for their clash on October 12. Scotland, under Steve Clarke, are winless in their last eight competitive fixtures, having managed just one victory in their last 14 matches.
Injury-stricken Scotland will head to Zagreb missing 13 players, including notable absentees such as Aston Villa's John McGinn and Arsenal's Kieran Tierney. “We'll go to Croatia with the belief that we can get a result,” said the Norwich City midfielder. “If not, we’d be as well staying back here.”
Despite losing to Portugal and Poland last month, McLean emphasised the importance of not brushing their struggles aside. “It's not a clean sweep; we don't just start again. We want to improve by taking what we’re doing on the pitch and improving that,” he stated.
Croatia, ranked 12th in the world, poses a significant challenge as Scotland seeks to end its longest winless run in history. McLean acknowledged the strength of the Croatians, saying, "Croatia are a strong team; they always have been. It's going to be tough."
Scotland's recent competitive record shows five losses and three draws, and their performance in friendlies also highlights intense competition, with only one win in their last 14 fixtures. Despite the bleak statistics, Scotland's renewed tactical approach and a fresh squad offer a glimmer of hope for the Tartan Army.
The upcoming fixture, along with a subsequent match against Portugal on October 15, will be crucial for Scotland as they strive to secure vital points in their Nations League group.