Clarke’s Scotland continue Nations League campaign against Ronaldo and co

Scotland will bid to bounce back in their Nations League campaign against Portugal, live on talkSPORT this evening.

The Tartan Army are in League A after an excellent campaign in this competition last time out saw them promoted, and they were rewarded with a group containing Portugal, Croatia and Poland.

Steve Clarke‘s men had a horrible Euro 2024, collecting one point from their three group games and crashing out before the knockout rounds.

So, they’ll be looking to bounce back and turn this Nations League campaign into a memorable one.

However, they suffered a dreadful start to their campaign with a 3-2 home defeat to Poland.

Meanwhile, Portugal also had a pretty disappointing European Championship, given they only made it to the quarter-finals.

Despite having some of the best players in the world at their disposal, Cristiano Ronaldo and co struggled in open play throughout and created very little.

But they sealed an opening 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia, which included Ronaldo scoring his 900th career goal.

Portugal vs Scotland: Ridiculous Ronaldo

After a disappointing Euro 2024, Ronaldo bounced back in the only way he knows how; by breaking another record.

The 39-year-old now has 900 career goals, which is more than anyone else has ever managed.

That statistic speaks for itself, and it shows his longevity at the top of the game, while it’s also a credit to his fitness because he barely misses a fixture for club or country.

And after finding the back of the net 900 times, he’s now got his sights set on 1,000.

That journey starts against Scotland, so the Tartan Army have been warned.

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Portugal vs Scotland: Date and how to follow

This Nations League League A Group 1 game is set to take place on Sunday, September 8.

Kick-off at at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon is set for 8:45pm local time, which is 7:45pm in the UK.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of the match, with Joe Shennan and former Scotland international Chris Iwelumo.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also have all the reaction for Portugal.

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Portugal vs Scotland: Team news

Ahead of Scotland’s Nations League fixtures, Clarke introduced four uncapped players: Liverpool’s Ben Doak, who has just joined Middlesbrough on loan, Ryan Gauld, Max Johnstone and Robby McCrorie.

Doak and Gauld came on against Croatia and will now push for starts after making their debuts.

Lyndon Dykes returns after missing Euro 2024 through injury.

However, after a poor display in Germany, Jack Hendry, Ross McCrorie, Liam Cooper, Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Jack have all been dropped.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has retired from international football.

For the hosts, Ronaldo will probably lead the line, but fellow veteran Pepe has retired from football.

Chelsea’s Renato Veiga makes the squad and joins Lille’s Tiago Santos as the new faces into Roberto Martinez‘s team.

And after being unused substitutes against Croatia, they are both still awaiting their debuts.

Scotland squad

• Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock).
• Defenders: Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Max Johnston (SK Sturm Graz), Scott McKenna (UD Las Palmas), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic).
• Midfielders: Ryan Christie (AFC Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Liverpool), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls).
• Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesborough), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian).

Portugal squad

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Real Betis)
• Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Tiago Santos (Lille), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Wolves)
• Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
• Forwards: Joao Felix (Chelsea), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting Lisbon), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/), Geovany Quenda (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

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Portugal vs Scotland: What has been said?

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted that Ronaldo should step aside from the national team despite reaching 900 career goals.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, he said: “If you watched him in the Euros, we forget don’t we, that he didn’t do anything.

“He probably hindered other players being played. I think him playing that many games probably cost Portugal.

“I know people will say that’s harsh and it’s not his fault, but you know, you had your time. You’ve still got what it takes, but have you got what it takes at the highest level any more? 

“There’s a reason why he’s playing in Saudi Arabia, there’s a reason why he got let go at Manchester United, there’s a reason why he’s not playing in Europe.

“I just think Portugal have got so many exciting players that were left on the bench during that Euros.”