Scotland boss Alex McLeish is adamant his side have “a lot of evolving to do” as they look to defeat Israel at Hampden Park on Tuesday night to secure promotion to League B of the Nations League.
The 59-year-old is 10 months into his second tenure in charge of the national team after he became the permanent replacement for Gordon Strachan in February.
The Scots have won just two competitive matches under McLeish – both of those were Nations League matches against Albania – while they have lost six of his nine games at the helm.
The pressure was starting to mount on McLeish but Sunday’s 4-0 win against the Albanians in Shkoder has given him hope of still winning Group C1 to advance up to B and qualify for the Euro 2020 play-offs in the process.
The Scots must avenge their 2-1 defeat in Israel last month and win on Tuesday, while the visitors know a draw would be enough for them to progress on the head-to-head record in the group.
McLeish accepts his Scotland team is nowhere near the finished article but is confident they can get the result needed.
He said: “We had to take some hits. We’re still evolving. Just because of one victory it doesn’t mean that’s Scotland away and flying. We’ve still got a lot of evolving to do.
“I really feel as though we’re just getting started now, with that heart-warming performance of the players the other night.”
He added: “There’s a lot of experimentation and people have to patient. It’s not an overnighter. Everybody in the backroom staff is doing massive work behind the scenes. We feel positive about this group of players.”
Scotland are 1.83 to win on Tuesday, Israel are priced at 4.50 and the draw is 3.40.
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