JAMES Morrison has admitted the Scotland players have an added incentive to beat Slovakia and Slovenia in their final Russia 2018 qualifiers this week – extending the international career of their absent captain Scott Brown.
Brown and his Celtic team mate Stuart Armstrong, who have been key men for Gordon Strachan’s side in their matches this year, have both been forced to pull out of the Group F double header due to injuries.
It is unclear if the 32-year-old, who came out of international retirement before the England game at Wembley back in November last year, will continue to make himself available for the national team once this campaign is over.
Morrison would like his 55-times capped team mate to have a play-off - and a possible trip the World Cup finals next year - to look forward to once these matches at Hampden tomorrow night and in Ljubljana on Sunday are over.
“Broony is a big part of this squad,” he said. “He’s a big character, he’s bubbly, he likes to have a laugh. He’s a good leader. It would be nice to get in that position so when he comes back we’ve still got something to play for.
“Potentially, we’ve got four massive games. If we do get the two wins our job isn’t done. We still have to go and win a play-off. There’s no point getting to a play-off and having that nearly situation. We’ve got a job in hand and it’ll be fantastic for everyone involved and Scotland.
“A play-off isn’t alright. It’s like getting to a semi and not performing and not getting to the win. We’ve got to keep the momentum, that’s the big thing. When you’re not picking results up that’s when it builds on you as a team.
“There could potentially be some big teams in the play-offs – Italy, maybe Portugal - so it would still be a big ask if we got there. But we would certainly look forward to being in the mix.”
Morrison admitted that not having Brown and Armstrong, who have been key players in Scotland’s wins over Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta and their draw with England, was a blow to their qualification hopes.
However, the West Brom man, who has played in centre midfield for his country in the past and could be selected there against Slovakia tomorrow night, is confident in the abilities of all of the players who could come in to replace them
“They are a big loss,” he said. “Scott is a great leader. Stuart was the one who was driving the team forward. They were pivotal in the last few games and the victories.
“But our midfield is our strongest area. Darren Fletcher has come in, Callum McGregor too. They’re two capable players to fill the void. There’s also James McArthur and Barry Bannan. We’ve got some good players in that position.
“Darren is a leader too. He does the dirty work, he sets the presses off. He has got a great attitude. He sets examples for us all. We have got a great squad of lads here.
“John McGinn has come in off a good performance at the weekend. He scored two good goals. John is a young, up-and-coming, good player. He has got a lot going for him. He could do a job. He has done a job in the past at Hampden.
"Scott and Stuart are huge losses, but we’ve got to forget about that and concentrate on the lads who are in the squad."
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