Scotland vs Netherlands. International Match.
PittodrieAttendance17,883.
Thursday 9 November 2017 19:14, UK
Interim Scotland manager Malky Mackay will be looking to get off to a positive start when they host the Netherlands in Thursday's friendly at Pittodrie, live on Sky Sports Football.
Having named eight uncapped players in his squad, Mackay starts his stint after taking over on a caretaker basis from Gordon Strachan, who was sacked after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ryan Christie and Graeme Shinnie of Aberdeen, Jason Cummings of Nottingham Forest, Hibernian's Paul Hanlon and Ryan Jack of Rangers are in the squad along with Celtic's Callum McGregor, Jordan Archer of Millwall and Liam Cooper of Leeds, all of whom are looking for their first cap.
In his pre-match press conference, Mackay said: "As far we're concerned this isn't a friendly, it's one of the games leading up to the Euro 2020 qualification campaign. There's a long way leading up to that now.
"We've got three, possibly four friendlies going into that, and what I'm doing is shaping this group, so they've got the chance in that first game in September to grab a place.
"There are some new faces, and players who are playing very well for their clubs right now. As I've said to most of them, this is their chance to grab a jersey, and go and play 50 caps, because there's a lot of youth in this squad."
Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor could finally earn his first international cap three years after being named in the squad.
Leigh Griffiths and Darren Fletcher withdrew from the Scotland squad at the weekend due to injury.
For Netherlands, Vincent Janssen, Jurgen Locadia and Bas Dost are all out with injuries.
Wesley Sneijder and Steven Berghuis return to the squad, while Danny van de Beek has been handed another chance to earn his first cap. In-form PSV striker Jurgen Locadia is also included.
Scotland have lost each of their last three internationals against Netherlands, most recently a 1-0 loss at Hampden Park in September 2009.
The Dutch have conceded just two goals in their last 10 meetings with Scotland, keeping eight clean sheets.
Netherlands put six past Scotland in a Euro 2004 play-off qualifier in November 2003, the most the Scots have conceded in an international since April 1961.
The Tartan Army are unbeaten in their last seven internationals (W4 D3), their best run since April 1997 - they were last unbeaten in eight successive games in May 1988.
I have to be honest, as much as I should be watching this one as a Scot I do find myself more tempted to watch the Northern Ireland game.
Malky Mackay is getting his first run out against Dick Advocaat. I do wish him well as an old team-mate of mine but it is at Aberdeen and it will be absolutely freezing!
Netherlands are the great underachievers but they do still have enough quality to warrant being strong favourites here.
I never really fancy Scotland in friendlies as they need energy and enthusiasm in their performers, so I'm going to oppose my own nation here.
Charlie predicts: 1-3 and Van Dijk to score first (290/1 with Sky Bet)
