What questions do Clarke’s Scots face in Portugal?

Clarke’s preferred formation is usually a variation on a five-back formation. However, Scotland played with a back four against the Poles.

Can we expect this to be the case again in Portugal, with Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson out of the squad due to injuries?

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein: “I’m not 100% sure. We tried to get (Andy) Robertson and (Kieran) Tierney on the same side. I thought we found a solution by playing five defenders with one left back and one left centre back.

“Tierney is not available though, so I’m not sure. The five gives us a little bit more security, but when you play with five, your wingbacks have to be adventurous. If they aren’t, your progression on the pitch is limited.”

Former Scottish midfielder Leanne Crichton: “I don’t think the personnel lend themselves to a back five. I don’t think we have a right sided wing back.

“It’s not Anthony Ralston’s position. He needs to be deeper when receiving the ball.

“Max Johnston could be a wing-back but he hasn’t played enough minutes this season. Would it be reckless to start him?

“When you don’t have Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson, it’s a real challenge to play with five men at the back.”

Former Scottish centre back Willie Miller: “For me it would be the three central defenders, after seeing us play with two on Thursday.

“I’m not sure about the personnel or the formation, but you have a lot more responsibility when there are only two of you.

“Another centre-back pulls into the space that the opposition can expose and that’s what you have to do at the highest level. I would ask Grant Hanley to play in the middle, with Scott McKenna on one side and John Souttar or Ryan Porteous on the other.”