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Scotland vs Denmark. International Match.

Hampden Park.

Scotland 1

  • M Ritchie (8th minute)

Denmark 0

    Scotland v Denmark preview: Gordon Strachan to use balance of youth and experience

    Strachan has selected two different squads for the games against the Czech Republic and Denmark
    Image: Strachan has selected two different squads for the games against the Czech Republic and Denmark

    Gordon Strachan will not flood his Scotland team with debutants during tonight's Hampden friendly against Denmark.

    Six players could make their Scotland debuts including Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain, who stayed with the squad following the victory over Czech Republic after David Marshall pulled out through illness.

    The uncapped Kieran Tierney, Liam Cooper, John McGinn, Jamie Murphy and Oliver Burke also joined up with the squad while Paul Caddis and Liam Bridcutt are aiming to win their second caps.

    Strachan revealed the new players had "energised the coaching staff" but he also has a number of experienced players to choose from with Shaun Maloney and Steven Whittaker drafted in and Steven Fletcher passed fit after missing the Prague trip with illness.

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    Strachan said: "When you're making your debut, whatever level it is, it's good to have experienced players around you. I don't think it's that great to have a lot of inexperience around you when you make your debut.

    "So there will be a lot of experience but whoever makes their debut or comes back in from the cold - Liam Bridcutt has been fantastic, he has looked an even better player than he did a couple of years ago - it's nice to have experience around you.

    "We pick the squad and then we look at the players and see who is ready. It's going to be hard because the intensity they have worked at has been quite phenomenal."

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    Gordon Strachan, Scotland manager, Czech Rep 0-1 Scotland 'Referee!!'
    Image: Scotland boss Gordon Strachan

    Team news

    Celtic left-back Tierney looks the likeliest newcomer to start, although club-mate Charlie Mulgrew is another option in his position.

    Strachan clearly feels 18-year-old Tierney is worth looking at after picking him ahead of the likes of Graeme Shinnie and Lee Wallace.

    "Well, he's played European football against top sides so that has been a benefit to him, and Celtic, and to us," Strachan said. "He didn't look out of place when I have seen him.

    "He has a good way about him: determined, a bit of humility as well, that's great.

    Ikechi Anya celebrates putting Scotland ahead
    Image: Ikechi Anya celebrates putting Scotland ahead against the Czech Republic

    "It has helped that people like Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney have been round him and are there to help him. These guys are great role models.

    "You might think there would be enthusiasm from the young ones, and they have been fantastic, but I have had as much enthusiasm from Shaun Maloney and Gordon Greer as anybody."

    Kieran Tierney is now established in the Celtic first-team
    Image: Celtic's Kieran Tierney could make his debut

    Opta stats

    Scotland have won only one of their last six games against Denmark, losing five.

    Robert Snodgrass is the only Scottish player to score in those six games, scoring in a 2-1 win in August 2011 (the other goal was a William Kvist own goal).

    Scotland are without a clean sheet in their last seven games against Denmark, their last coming in September 1975.

    Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen scored Denmark's goal in their 2-1 defeat at Hampden Park in August 2011.

    The Danes are winless in five away internationals, losing four.

    Betting

    Scotland are Sky Bet's 15/8 outsiders for the victory on Tuesday night with Denmark favourites for the win at 6/4, while a stalemate is priced at 9/4.  The first goalscorer market is wide open as Leigh Griffiths is rated the 9/2 favourite, while Nicolai Jorgensen and Lasse Vibe are considered the visitors' main threats at 6/1 apiece. Griffiths is enhanced from 3/1 to 5/1 to score in a Scotland win in Sky Bet's pre-match Price Boosts, which also includes Christian Eriksen to score from outside the area available at 10/1.

    Watch Scotland take on Denmark at Hampden Park live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Tuesday night. 

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