Christie and Souttar start for Scotland but Dykes misses Denmark clash

Stephen O'Donnell replaces Nathan Patterson for the World Cup qualifier.

Christie and Souttar start for Scotland but Dykes misses Denmark clash SNS Group

Ryan Christie returns to the Scotland team for the World Cup qualifier against Denmark but Lyndon Dykes is not fit enough to start at Hampden.

Both players were suspended for Friday’s win over Moldova, where Scotland guaranteed themselves a play-off place by winning 2-0 in Chisinau.

Dykes was expected to return to the team but trained separately from the rest of the squad on Sunday with an injury that manager Steve Clarke said was “50/50” in terms of allowing him to play.

The striker has lost his fitness battle but Christie comes into the side to support Che Adams in attack in a game Scotland need a positive result from in the hopes of being seeded for the play-off semi-final.

John Souttar has also been handed a starting spot, replacing Jack Hendry in defence.

Clarke has named his side to face a Denmark side who have won the group in style, winning all nine of their previous qualifiers.

Craig Gordon starts in goal, with the back three of Kieran Tierney, Liam Cooper and Souttar tasked with keeping out the Danish attack.

Andy Robertson is at left wing-back, with Stephen O’Donnell in for the suspended Nathan Patterson on the right.

Callum McGregor, Billy Gilmour and John McGinn start in midfield, with Christie and Adams in the forward positions.

Scotland have seven players who would be suspended for the play-off semi-final if booked at Hampden. Robertson, McGinn, Gilmour, Adams, Hendry, Kevin Nisbet, and O’Donnell have already been yellow-carded in the qualifiers.

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code