Scotland coach John Carver reports a fully fit side as they prepare to take on Israel

Scotland coach John Carver reports a fully fit side as they prepare to take on Israel in vital World Cup qualifier to try and solidify their play-off spot position

  • Scotland boss John Carver says he has a fully fit squad for this weekend’s game
  • Only Grant Hanley is currently set to miss out against Israel due to suspension
  • Scotland sit in second place in Group F behind Denmark in a play-off spotĀ 


Coach John Carver reported a fully-fit Scotland squad ahead of the crucial 2022 World Cup qualifier against Israel at sold-out Hampden Park on Saturday night.

After a morale-boosting 1-0 win in Austria last month, Steve Clarke’s men sit in second place in Group F behind runaway leaders Denmark and with a Qatar 2022 play-off spot in their own hands.

Defender Grant Hanley is suspended for the game but Carver said: ‘Everybody is fully fit.

Scotland have a fully fit squad ahead of this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Israel

‘We had a good training session this morning, everybody took part.

‘There was nothing afterwards so everybody is in good shape.’

After six fixtures and ahead of the double-header against Israel and then Faroe Islands away, the Scots are seven points behind the Danes, one ahead of Israel and four ahead of Austria.

Carver said: ‘We are going into this game with a huge amount of confidence because if you go to Austria and get the performance and result that we got, then it gives you confidence.

Scotland are one point ahead of third-placed Israel in their World Cup qualifying group

Scotland are one point ahead of third-placed Israel in their World Cup qualifying group

‘We do have some momentum and I am pleased with the fact that we have actually sold the stadium out.

‘It is good for me because it will be the first time I have been involved at a game at Hampden with a full crowd.

‘That just shows you how far we have come, how well the lads have done and it is nice to see that the fans and nation itself are getting right behind the team.’

Carver believes the narrow but crucial win over Austria in Vienna set the standard for the visit of Israel.

He said: ‘We keep talking about raising the bar and setting the standard and I think we did that in Austria in a difficult environment against an excellent team who did well in the Euros so we knew it was going to be tough.

‘But we set a standard and went there with no fear and that’s what impressed me more than anything.’

John Carver (right) hopes Scotland can carry on their momentum after beating Austria

John Carver (right) hopes Scotland can carry on their momentum after beating Austria

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