Article body analysed
Nations League play-off: Greece v Scotland Venue: Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis, Piraeus Date: Thursday, 20 March Kick-off: 19: 45 GMT Coverage: Watch live BBC Scotland coverage, listen to radio commentary and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app After a four-month hiatus, Scotland will be back in action this month when they face Greece home and away in the Nations League play-offs - live on the BBC. Win, and they stay in League A. Lose, and they drop down a division. Steve Clarke is set to name his squad on Tuesday and, as ever, injuries will be giving him pause for thought. But what are the key questions with which the head coach might be wrestling? Scotland men's internationals to be live on BBC Could Aberdeen's revived Nisbet earn Scotland recall? Doak set to miss Nations League play-offs Craig Gordon might be 42 years old but the Hearts goalkeeper is still performing at the highest level. He was omitted from last summer's Euro 2024 squad but has reclaimed the jersey in the autumn because of Angus Gunn's injury problems. The Norwich goalkeeper hurt a hamstring jumping over an advertising hoarding recently but, even if he is fit, surely Gordon had done enough to keep his place? If Gunn isn't fit, there's then the issue of which other goalkeepers will be in the squad. Neither Zander Clark nor Liam Kelly are playing for their club sides at the moment, so there's plenty for head coach Clarke to think about. Anthony Ralston has not let Clarke down when called upon, but the head coach will be keen to get Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson back sooner rather than later. Hickey is slowly making his way back from long-term injury, having not played for Brentford since October 2023 away to Chelsea. A serious hamstring problem, and a thwarted attempt to make it back in time for last summer's Euros, mean the former Hearts prodigy has had to be patience personified. Patterson's manager at Everton, David Moyes, has warned the former Rangers defender he needs to "step up" if he's to be involved at Goodison. The 23-year-old has been out injured again, so perhaps these Greece games may come too quickly for him. Lewis Ferguson scored his first goal after a long injury lay-off during Bologna's 2-2 Serie A draw against Roma in January Lewis Ferguson is another player Clarke would have loved to have available long before now. His emergence as one of the leading midfielders in Serie A was brought to an abrupt halt by a knee injury towards the end of last season, causing him to miss the Euros. When Callum Mc Gregor decided to retire, many thought Ferguson's opportunities would increase and he is now back playing with Bologna. Clarke surely has him pencilled him in for the Greece double-header, and a 13th cap will await Ferguson. Scotland's last three goals have come from midfield and defence, with John Mc Ginn scoring the winner against Croatia and opener against Poland, and captain Andy Robertson's netting a last-gasp winner in Warsaw. The last time a striker scored for the national team was last June, when Lawrence Shankland headed in against Finland in a Hampden friendly. What other options does Clarke have to boost his firepower? Kevin Nisbet seems to have found his form at Aberdeen and has been in the mix before, and there has also been talk of a call-up for Ipswich Town's George Hirst. The son of the former Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst qualifies through a grandparent, and scored in front of Clarke in an FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest. His goal stats don't quite leap off the page, though - three in 19 appearances this season. But with Lyndon Dykes missing Birmingham City's past four league matches, Hirst might be an option Clarke feels is worth pursuing. Just when Clarke thought he'd found the answer to Scotland's missing dynamism and unpredictability in Ben Doak, the young winger suffered what might prove a campaign-ending injury. Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick says it's "hard to say" if he'll return from parent club Liverpool to complete his season-long loan. One thing is for sure – Scotland won't be able to call upon his services this month. With doubts over Lewis Morgan's availability because of a knee issue and James Forrest also out, Clarke may well be hunting for a pacey wide-man to trouble the Greeks. All the latest Scotland national team news Football latest: Gakpo involved as Liverpool train before PSG & Premier League reaction Bills quarterback Allen agrees record £255m contract extension Forest lose appeal against £750, 000 fine Inside the career of The Thick of It creator, Armando Iannucci The tale of a billionaire family, stolen relics and fake treasure Exposing the truth, and bringing a serial killer to justice What is it like being disabled in Ukraine? Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC When Romanov picked Rix - and the Hearts team 'Scotland is about to lay king to rest. Sleep well, my hero' Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? The squinting kid who grew into giant of global game 'England had Italy on the ropes but didn't recreate French demolition job' What would success look like? Key questions for Hamilton at Ferrari Five talking points from round four of Six Nations 'We need more Brunos' - Fernandes 'steps up all the time' for Man Utd England shine in the sun but Cardiff cauldron awaits Driver changes, weather, form in testing - guide to F1's season-opening race Rugby Union Weekly. Audio Rugby Union Weekly Does cricket risk apathy if status quo continues? Football Daily. Audio Football Daily 'Ingebrigtsen a great but George will have his time' - Danny Mills on son's 3, 000m silver. Video'Ingebrigtsen a great but George will have his time' - Danny Mills on son's 3, 000m silver When could Liverpool seal Premier League title? Test Match Special. Audio Test Match Special France captain Dupont has cruciate knee injury Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes. Video Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes 'Does it always have to be so dramatic, Scotland? ' Who can qualify at end of season? Pregnant GB shooter Mwandumba's twin aims Opportunity knocks – women's boxing can take centre stage Watch: You Tuber Mr Beast crashes Formula E car. Video Watch: You Tuber Mr Beast crashes Formula E car Which Premier League boss makes most substitutions - and who does it best? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.