Scotland take on Qatar in an international challenge match for the Qatar Airways Cup at Easter Road tonight. The first meeting between the two nations will be an ideal warm-up for Gordon Strachan's side ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin a week tomorrow. Chief football writer Matthew Lindsay sets the scene . . .
PIVOTAL PLAYERS
Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager, will want to give many of his first choice players an extended run-out against the visitors ahead of the Group D match at the Aviva Stadium next weekend.
The English Championship finished, for those not involved in the play-offs at least, back at the start of May.
So the likes of Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (who has been on loan at Bolton), Gordon Greer (Brighton), David Marshall (Cardiff City) and Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) are set to feature.
Elsewhere, this is a chance to give Charlie Mulgrew, who was the Man of the Match when Scotland beat Martin O'Neill's side at Celtic Park in November, some competitive football.
The midfielder, who has formed an uncompromising central midfield partnership alongside his Celtic team mate Scott Brown in the national team in the past, has been sidelined for much of the 2014/15 campaign with an injury.
He returned in the Parkhead club's last two matches against St. Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle and will be hoping to prove to Strachan he is ready to be pitch into action over in Ireland when the game kicks off.
Elsewhere, Charlie Adam, who has been recalled to the Scotland set-up after a lengthy absence as a result of his form with Stoke City and THAT goal against Chelsea from inside his own half, may get the chance to show what he offers.
The former Rangers, Blackpool and Liverpool man is perceived to be a player that Strachan does not fancy due to his occasionally questionable work rate.
But a friendly with the Gulf State would be the perfect opportunity to see if he has taken on board his manager's advice and is ready to resurrect his international career in competitive matches.
Steven Fletcher has been the first choice striker, but Leigh Griffiths, who has been in fine form for Scottish champions Celtic, may be given the opportunity to take a claim for the start at the home of his former club Hibs.
There promises, as ever in friendly matches, to be a plethora of substitutions and everyone in the squad will be keen to feature at some stage in proceedings. Mark Reynolds, the Aberdeen centre half, is desperate to win his first cap a year after first being called up.
Craig Forsyth, the Derby County left back, will win his third cap while James Forrest, a perennial Strachan favourite, will start on the wing.
Strachan has been effusive in his praise of James McArthur, the Crystal Palace central midfielder who has enjoyed a fine campaign in the Premier League in England, in the past and has given the former Hamilton man the chance to show what he is capable of from kick-off.
KEY BATTLES
Impossible to say against an unknown entity like Qatar. A 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland down in Crewe last weekend suggests they have something about them and won't be complete pushovers.
Michael O'Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, had some words of advice for his Scotland counterpart in the build-up to this fixture. The former Hibs player said: "Qatar have an enthusiasm for the game. There's a naivety about their play at times, but they are competitive.
"They have good athleticism and it will be a good run out for Gordon and his boys. They will get what they are looking for from the game."
TACTICS
Strachan will be experimenting with different players and different systems, but recording a comprehensive victory is vital for Scotland ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier next week. So the national team will, despite it being a friendly, take proceedings and the opposition seriously.
Avoiding injuries is also crucial and the manager has stressed to his players not to let their enthusiasm get the better of them as they attempt to show they are deserving of a game in Dublin.
PREDICTION
Scotland 4, Qatar 0.
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