Steve Clarke would take victory for Scotland ‘however it comes’ against Belarus

Steve Clarke will take any sort of victory over Belarus in Scotland’s 2026 World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday night.

The Scots go into the second of their September double-header with confidence after their goalless draw in their opener against Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday night.

Belarus, by contrast, are trying to recover from a 5-1 thrashing by Greece in the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on the same night.

While some may feel there is an opportunity for goals, Clarke expects a “reaction” from Belarus and is focused on the three points.

“Take the win if we can get it and however it comes,” said the Scotland boss, who revealed there will be “one or two changes” to his side.

“If it’s by one goal, if it’s by two goals, whatever.

“But first of all, we need to make sure that we get the win.

“I think any team of professionals that get beat like they got beat the other night, there is normally a reaction.

“They’ve tried to create a little siege mentality.

“They will certainly not want to concede a lot of goals. We expect a tough night. They are a competent side.

“I was a little bit surprised that they lost by the margin that they lost in Greece, although I know the Greeks are a good side.

“You saw them in action at Hampden Park (won 3-0 in March), but I was a little bit surprised the scoreline was as big as that.”

As a UEFA punishment for the support shown by Belarus to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Scotland’s match against the Belarusians will take place behind closed doors at the ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg.

Clarke noted that there will be a hint of the Covid situation about the fixture and has sympathy for the Tartan Army and those 100 or so Scotland fans expected to travel to the city.

He said: “Some of our performances in Covid were pretty good.

“Certainly a big change from the atmosphere the other night in the Parken Stadium in Denmark.

“This is a situation we’ve got to deal with, play the game, get the points we need and go home. That’s the best way for us to approach it.

“Football is for fans. The Covid times were tough times to play games, surreal atmospheres, but there’s nobody here tomorrow. It’s a shame that the Tartan Army can’t be here.

“I’m sure there will be one or two in their kilts wandering around the local vicinity, which is great. It shows you how much it means to them.”