“Toughest Euro group”: Andy Robertson cautions against underestimating Cyprus as Scotland’s lowest seed opponent.

Angus Gunn Set for Scotland Debut as Tough Euro 2020 Qualifiers Begin

Scotland captain, Andy Robertson, is not underestimating visitors Cyprus ahead of the first group game of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. The Liverpool left-back points out that Cyprus, seeded as bottom seeds, proved to be tough opponents during Scotland’s last Euro qualifying campaign. Robertson called this year’s qualifying group the toughest in the tournament, adding that international football as a whole has vastly improved. With Scotland guaranteed a play-off place, after topping their Nations League group, they are targeting at least a repeat of the second place achieved in the last World Cup qualifying campaign to directly qualify. In addition, the team is vying to give debuts to three outstanding goalkeepers. Blackburn Rovers’ Dominic Hyam could also make his first appearance, while Callum McGregor is set to win his 50th cap.

Scotland head coach, Steve Clarke, describes Cyprus as a “good and well-organised team”, while ex-Newcastle United midfielder Temuri Ketsbaia, who now manages the Cyprus team, says it won’t be an easy game but he has called on his team to prove their worth. Cyprus’ style is generally rigid and defensive, and their principal aim is not to concede early, having a tendency to drop heads if it happens. The team’s main threat on the pitch comes from its forward Marinos Tzionis, who plays for Sporting Kansas City, along with midfielder Grigoris Kastanos, who plays at a high level in Italy with Salernitana, and young player Loizos Loizou.

The last seven matches Scotland played with Cyprus, including European Championships qualifiers in Nov 2019, were all won by Scotland. Cyprus’ last three away matches against Scotland, all World Cup qualifiers (in 1969, 1989 and the 2019 Euro qualifier), were all lost.



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