Scotland’s home form will need a shot in the arm if history is to be made, given the national side has conceded six goals in the past two matches at Hampden, including three to Greece.
A stirring win over Spain on Glasgow’s southside is now more than two years ago, with a new generation of players, including teenagers Lennon Miller and Ben Doak, now being asked to take Scotland forward.
Liverpool winger Doak, in particular, could be key to how Scotland line up in future and to the country’s chances of success when the difficult-looking World Cup campaign gets under way in Denmark in the autumn.
“If Ben Doak’s available, I think he makes a massive difference with the attacking prowess he has, the pace he has,” O’Donnell added. “There are not many other players of a similar profile in the squad, so if he’s fit, you’d probably opt for a 4-3-3 formation.
“Five at the back is good away from home, but at Hampden, you’d like to give a bit more momentum to the fans and having players getting at full-backs would certainly have that impact.
“It’s going to be difficult, but I do think we’re good enough. We showed it in the last campaign for the Euros with how well we started.
“That’s going to be needed again against top opposition. We’re capable of it, we have more than enough quality and experience.
“Don’t forget, the thing this squad has done is develop as a team and gained international experience, not only in qualifications but in tournaments. That’s going to be needed not only to hopefully get us over the line but to then perform well at the World Cup. I think we can qualify.”
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