Russia Vs Scotland: The Striker Debate

Scotland have not been blessed with a prolific number nine for many years now, however, the current options that Steve Clarke has for the upcoming Russia game may prove to be the lightest we have had in a while.

With Leigh Griffths still unavailable for the national team, along with Steven Fletcher, the obvious choice would be Scotland's most expensive player, Oli McBurnie. Despite not being well loved by the Tartan Army, the Sheffield United man would no doubt be our number one option hadn't he pulled out through injury earlier this week.

Those drop-outs and injuries leave three men in contention to lead the line in Russia; Oliver Burke, Johnny Russell and Lawrence Shankland. This blog will delve into a few and ultimately, make a call on who should start.

After falling out of favor at Celtic, Burke returned to his parent club, West Brom, only to be loaned back out to Alaves in Spain. He missed out on the last Scotland squad due to the lack of playing team he had at the Hawthorns but now it is a different story with him in fine form for the Spanish side. Although, he is out on the wing Burke has still found himself on the score sheet a few times and backs himself to solve Scotland's striker issues.



The next man, Johnny Russell, probably brings the least risk with selection. The ex-United forward has been plying his trade in America with Kansas Sporting City and to be fair to him, knocking them in for fun. The last game before the break, Russell hit his ninth goal and ninth assist for the side, becoming the first player to do that in back to back seasons for Kansas since 1998. Albeit, it is the MLS, an expereinced forward scoring goals can't be ignored.



Our wildcard option is Dundee United striker, Lawrence Shankland. He has hit fifteen goals in thirteen games for the club continuing his scintillating form on from Ayr United. The call-up shocked many, as it is the first Scottish Championship inclusion since John McGinn, but you can't shy away from the man's goal scoring stats and overall play. It would obviously be a massive step up for Shankland and one many question considering the level he is playing at and the team, who create barrel loads of chances against lower opposition.



The options we have here aren't brilliant, there is no getting round that. However, I believe every single one of them is better than some of the things I've seen online with Christie as a false nine and effectively adopting the famous old 4-6-0. I personally wouldn't throw Shankland in against the Russians (for one ... is he even out of Andy Graham's pocket yet? ;-P) and two, it is just too big a jump. No doubt it will be the old guard trusted once again, as it usually is, and Russell will lead the line which deep down I wouldn't be too disheartened about. However, I'd love to see Burke given the nod. He seems to have the bit between his teeth right now having missed out the last squad and should be rewarded with the chance to continue his Scotland goal scoring exploits after giving Clarke his first win in June.