In Focus: How can Clarke make sure Scotland turn draws into wins?

Back-to-back draws have turned Scotland’s hopes of World Cup qualification into an uphill battle — so victory against the Faroe Islands is non-negotiable. 

But three points against the Group F minnows tonight will not be enough on its own. 

Steve Clarke’s outfit need to start turning draws into wins on a regular basis if they arere to make it to Qatar.

Here is how the Scotland boss can get more out of his side and boost their hopes of reaching a first World Cup in 24 years. 

Get on the front foot

Scotland went behind on two occasions in last week’s 2-2 draw with Austria, before allowing Israel to open the scoring during Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv. 

While the mental fortitude to get back into both matches is commendable, Scotland need to start games on the front foot if they are to come away with all three points. 

Clarke’s side have invited pressure during the first half of both their Group F matches by standing off their opponents and allowing them to dictate play — they must impose themselves early on, rather than handing teams the advantage. 

Let the handbrake off

There is plenty of Premier League quality in this Scotland squad, not least going forward. 

Newcomer Che Adams is supported by Southampton team-mate Stuart Armstrong, Newcastle’s Ryan Fraser and Liverpool’s attack-minded left-back Andy Robertson. 

Scotland’s cautious approach does not befit a team with such offensive-minded players at their disposal — both Austria (19 to 13) and Israel (14 to 13) recorded more shots than Clarke’s men. 

The Scottish boss needs to let the handbrake off to really make the most of his creative assets.

Instil confidence

After years of underperforming, it is no surprise Scotland have an inferiority complex — but the team qualified for Euro 2020 and expectations have been raised.

Clarke believes his players will have greater confidence in their ability in time. 

He said: "There has to come a moment in time when we believe we are good enough to go and take points from the pot one teams and hopefully that’s going to be the case in this campaign. 

"I believe the players are good enough to do that already but they have to believe more in themselves. 

"If they grow more over the next few months and prove to themselves what they can do at the Euros, we might be in a very different place when the World Cup qualifiers come back around."

The Tierney dilemma

Kieran Tierney was outstanding against Austria and Israel playing at centre-back. 

But Robertson’s disappointing display in Tel Aviv has only increased the clamour for Tierney to play in his more natural left-back role for the national side. 

That is a change Clarke should avoid. 

Robertson, 27, remains a top-class performer, while Tierney’s marshalling of the backline from centre-back will be critical to Scotland's continued resilience in defence, while getting both on the field at once. 

Set the tone

Scotland need to build momentum ahead of Euro 2020 and simultaneously get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track. 

A thumping win against the Faroe Islands would certainly lift the mood and Clarke is under no illusions that Scotland need a victory at all costs. 

The former Chelsea right-back, 57, said: "The Faroes also took the lead against Austria, so we know we can’t afford to take them lightly.

"But at the same time, we understand it’s a game we have to win."

Scotland need to get back into the habit of winning — and three points tonight is the first step on that journey.