Steve Clarke reckons Scotland can “change the mood about the place” with a positive result against Portugal.
Scotland fell to an agonising 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Zagreb despite Che Adams scoring a 95th minute equaliser that was ultimately ruled out after a VAR check.
The Scots take on star-studded Portugal at Hampden on Tuesday, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo set to line up at the national stadium.
Clarke’s men are winless from their opening three games of Group A1, with Ronaldo scoring an 88th minute winner the last time the two sides met in Lisbon in September.
Scotland also lost to Poland by a one-goal margin in a 3-2 defeat at Hampden in the group opener.
Meanwhile on Monday it was confirmed Rangers midfielder Connor Barron had been called up to replace Celtic winger James Forrest.
Clarke reckons despite injuries the squad available to him is capable of more given the achievements of recent years.
He said: “The players understand we’re playing difficult opponents, they understand the squad could be stronger.
“I don’t speak about it too much because I think it’s disrespectful to the boys that are in the squad. We have to concentrate on who we have here.
“We have to go out against Portugal and be good at everything in the game, to go out and get the result that might just change the mood about the place.”
He added: “After 20 years in the international wilderness, this group of players have been to two major tournaments.
“They’ve got promotion to the top level of this Nations League. I don’t understand why people would be doubting this group.
“It’s a tough moment, no doubt about it. But we believe in ourselves.”
Striker Adams believes luck hasn’t quite been on Scotland’s side but a clash against one of the world’s best is an opportunity for redemption.
He said: “The games have been positive. We haven’t had the rub of the green recently like my offside the other day.
“It’s small things like that, small margins can impact your mentality.
“Tomorrow is a chance to come up against one of the best nations in the world, so we’re looking forward to that.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
