SCOTLAND still have plenty to play for in the Algarve tonight. The major goal of qualification for Euro 2016 may have disappeared into the ether, but Gordon Strachan's squad have no shortage of reasons, individually and collectively, to give Gibraltar their undivided attention.
For striker Chris Martin, for instance, there is a chance to notch his first goal for Scotland. Having missed the home meeting with the Gibraltarians at Hampden due to a hamstring injury, then been an unused substitute for the trauma of Poland at Hampden on Thursday night, the Derby striker is desperate to break his Scotland duck, a feat which would cheer him as much as his Scotland-daft dad Gerry from Easterhouse.
“I was injured for the first Gibraltar game, which was unfortunate," Martin said, of the muscle strain which also kept him out down the stretch as Derby County's bid for promotion to the Barclays Premier League faltered for the second successive season. "Fletch got a hat-trick so he took his chance in that game, and that it’s exactly what you need to do," he added. "But the first Scotland goal for me will hopefully be the first of many - that’s the idea. I’ve had to wait patiently for a chance, I've mainly played from the bench so far. I've not managed to score yet but I need to keep digging in there."
The days since the 2-2 draw against the Poles which did for our chances of Euro 2016 qualification on Thursday night have been dominated by anguished speculation over the fate of the manager and Martin is happy to add his voice to those who have given the manager his whole hearted backing. “He’s an astute manager, an astute coach," said the target man. "He’s very good with the lads, a good man-manager. I’d spoken to people previously who had him as club manager and they said the same. I think he covers the details very well. That’s been a big thing for us. As a team, we know exactly what we need to do when we step on to the pitch. I think he’s been a positive appointment for the country and that’s borne out in the results we’ve had, barring obviously what happened in the last round of games. He asked if I fancied coming along, left the decision down to me and I said I’d love to. He told me that they had seen something in me that they feel I could contribute. Come along and do what you’ve been doing for the club and I think he says that to most people."
Unfortunately, managing that hamstring issue will be an ongoing thing for the remainder of Martin's career. “I feel I’m probably still not totally 100% because of the type of injury it was and the nature of it," he has said. “It was a bit niggly. To be out for so long when I wasn’t expecting it was tough to take. I still have to manage it a little bit as there can be a bit of tightness because there’s a hell of a lot of scar tissue around the hamstring. But I feel I’m pretty much over it now and it’s just a case of finding my rhythm."
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