Scotland head to Portugal to face perhaps the toughest test of their Nations League group on the back of a run of just one win in 13 matches.
After losing their Nations League Group A1 opener 3-2 to Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday, Scotland have now lost five of their eight matches in 2024, with their only victory coming in a friendly against Gibraltar in June.
Now, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes head an all-star cast waiting ominously in Lisbon for Steve Clarke’s side on Sunday.
So what questions must be asked of Scotland’s head coach before Sunday’s match against a team ranked number eight in the world?
BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound panel have been giving their thoughts.
Back five or back four?
Clarke’s preferred formation is usually some variation of a five-back formation. However, Scotland lined up with a back four against the Poles.
With no Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson in the squad through injury, can we expect that to be the case again in Portugal?
Former Scotland manager Craig Levein: “I’m not 100% sure. We tried to crowbar [Andy] Robertson and [Kieran] Tierney onto the same side. I thought we had found a solution by playing a back five with one at left wing-back and one at left centre-back.
“However, Tierney isn’t available, so I’m not sure. The five gives us a wee bit more safety, but if you play a five, your wing backs have to be adventurous. If they’re not, then progress up the pitch is limited.”
Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton: “I don’t think the personnel lends itself to a back five. I don’t think we’ve got a right-sided wing back.
“It’s not Anthony Ralston‘s position. He needs to be deeper when receiving the ball.
“Max Johnston could be a wing-back, but he has not enough minutes played this season. Would it be reckless to start him?
“When you don’t have Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson, it’s a real struggle to go with a back five.”
Former Scotland centre-half Willie Miller: “It would be the three centre backs for me after watching us play with two on Thursday.
“I’m not sure about the personnel, or the formation, but you’ve got much more responsibility if it’s only the two of you.
“Another centre-back contracts the space that the opposition can expose and you need to do that at the top level. I would ask Grant Hanley to play in the middle, with Scott McKenna on one side and either John Souttar or Ryan Porteous on the other side.”
Does Gunn keep his gloves?
Angus Gunn is Scotland’s number one, with Zander Clark called up ahead of Craig Gordon despite the veteran, who has been left out of the current Scotland squad, being first choice with Heart of Midlothian.
However, after the Norwich City goalkeeper shipped 10 goals in the last four matches, is it time for a change between the sticks?
Craig Levein: “Craig Gordon is the best goalkeeper Scotland have.
“He still wants to be in Scotland squads. I spoke to him not long ago – that was the impression I got.
“It would calm everybody down – that’s what I’d say. He’s 42 in December. This is where we’re at. He is our best goalkeeper.”
Leanne Crichton: “I don’t think Gunn has been convincing. When I look back at his goals conceded at this level, I don’t think he anticipates enough or moves his feet quick enough.
“If you’re going to criticise Hanley and Ralston, you need to speak about the goalkeeper. I wonder at what point he [Steve Clarke] looks at it and thinks it’s time to take him out of the firing line?
“Zander Clark is a good goalkeeper. He’s not in squads to not at least be a consideration at some point.”
Is Clarke still the man for the job?
Clarke has led this Scotland team to back-to-back European Championship qualifications, but performances over the last 12 months have not exactly been inspiring.
One win in 13 just adds to the misery of a dismal Euro 2024 campaign in which Scotland earned just one point out of a possible nine.
Craig Levein: “I think he’s the right guy for the job, I do. The players are putting a shift in – they are all in.”
Leanne Crichton: “He’s the right man for the job right now. I don’t think he’d be there otherwise.
“His remit is to qualify for major tournaments and he’s taken the men’s national team to two. He has set his sights on the World Cup, so let’s give him that chance. I don’t see anyone that I’d have come in instead.”
Willie Miller: “The players are still on his side. The Euros were very disappointing, but that performance on Thursday night was more encouraging.
“His job is to qualify for the World Cup. We’ve got to give him the opportunity to do that.
“Irrespective of how this Nations League campaign goes, I think we should stay with Steve Clarke.”