John McGinn (left), is one of the four players who returned to Scotland after their defeat in Denmark.
World Cup qualifying Group F: Scotland against Moldova Date: Saturday 4 September Kick-off at 19:45 BST. Live commentary: BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sport Website
Steve Clarke said that his Scotland players realize they are nearing a "pivotal", and "must win" moment in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
After Wednesday's 2-0 loss in Denmark, Scotland is now fourth in Group F.
On Saturday, the bottom side Moldova will visit Hampden. The Scots will travel to Austria on Tuesday, at the halfway point in fixtures.
Clarke, head coach, stated that "we can't think too much of the Austria game – we must win against Moldova."
"Nobody is shying away." We need points to keep us in contention at the end of the group stage, so we're always fighting, and come October-November, we can be in the qualification mix. That is still our goal.
Scotland has lost four of its last five games, scoring only once. Clarke can see the tide changing.
He says, "We'll get better." "The lads have been great in training and there's an edge to them – I can already feel it.
"They are aware that they are entering a pivotal moment within the group."
Denmark is now seven points ahead of Scotland at the summit, and five ahead Israel and Austria. Clarke insists that he didn't go into the campaign to settle for second place behind the top seeds.
He stated, "Obviously, after last result, it will be more difficult to become first." Is second still possible? It is.
"We can win the next two games." How the other games play will determine whether we need them.
They have one point from their four qualifying matches and Saturday's 2-0 loss at home to Austria means that they have won once in 22 appearances. Clarke however still expects the Scots to find it difficult.
He said, "They will be well organized defensively." "I saw the Austria game the other day, and it was a goal at the first-half injury time, and another goal at 95-96 minutes.
They are a threat to set-plays. They are worthy of our respect. However, we want to perform for the fans and ourselves."
News from the team
After missing the Denmark defeat, John McGinn (midfielder), Nathan Patterson (right-back), and Kevin Nisbet (striker) return to their positions.
McGinn was absent after being positive for coronavirus. Patterson and O'Donnell were also absent due to Covid-related issues.
Nisbet is now fully recovered and the four of them trained with the Scotland team on Friday. Clarke only reported a few minor niggles after the midweek loss.
What are our knowledge about Moldova?
Moldova has fallen to 175th place in the world after a peak of 37 in 2008. However, this is two more than their November record low.
Roberto Bordin, 56-year-old Italian-born Roberto Bordin, started his coaching career in February with a 1-1 draw in Faroe Islands. He was then replaced by an 8-0 win in Denmark.
Bordin led Moldova to defeat Azerbaijan 1-0 in a June friendly. This is their only win in 22 internationals after their last competitive victory in June 2019, a 1-0 home win over Andorra in a European Championship qualifier.
This was followed by Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Austria in Group F. They head to Hampden with 14 consecutive away losses since beating San Marino, 1-0, in the Nations League in Nov 2018.
They said it!
John McGinn, Scotland's midfielder: "We believe. But it's easy for us to sit here and say what we need. It's important that we do it on the field. We're still capable.
"On Saturday night, we will have chances. It's up to me as well as the strikers, who are in great form for their clubs. We're more than capable of scoring those goals, and I hope to have another flurry.
Roberto Bordin, manager of Moldova: "Playing at Home, Scotland will be under pressure. Maybe we can also put them under pressure. We're not here to just make numbers."
Match statistics
Last time Scotland and Moldova met in qualifying for 2006 World Cup, it was a 1-1 draw in Chisinau. The Scots won 2-0 at Hampden with goals by Christian Dailly & James McFadden.
The British home nations of Moldova have met them eight times in World Cup qualifying. They have lost seven of their previous encounters and drawn one. Their last five losses were a total score 17-0.
Since September 2013, when they lost 2-0 to Belgium, Scotland have not been defeated in eight of their home World Cup qualifiers (winning five).
Moldova has lost 13 of its 16 qualifying matches for major tournaments away matches and lost nine of their last nine matches by an average score of 27-1.
Scotland has lost three of its four previous competitive matches and drawn the other, one more than in their previous 14.
This qualifying campaign saw Moldova concede 15 more goals than any other team in Group F.
John McGinn scored nine goals in eight home qualifying matches. No player has ever scored more goals for Scotland on their own soil in qualifying matches. Ally McCoist has also scored nine goals in 21 appearances.
McGinn scored in both of his home World Cup qualifying matches. Kevin Gallacher and Mo Johnston are the only two players who have scored in three consecutive matches.
