Scotland vs Northern Ireland LIVE team news and build-up from the Hampden friendly

Midweek friendlies in March at Hampden used to be a bind, quite frankly.

Not any more. Not when Scotland are just a few months from heading to Euro 2024. Mind you, the bunting’s not been put up just yet. Rather, the confidence has taken something of a dent, with Scotland’s winless streak now stretching to six games.

Still, hopefully that all changes as Northern Ireland roll into Hampden with plenty of problems themselves. But it’s got to be said Scotland were good for vast swathes of that heavy defeat to Netherlands last week, playing the kind of football that thrilled the fans.

But it’s a win the Tartan Army are crying out for – as of course is Steve Clarke. The manager knows this side could be on the cusp of something special but all the bits need to come together – and fast.

Clarke earlier this week revealed he will only make a couple of changes to his team from Amsterdam last Friday. So will Serie A superstar Lewis Ferguson be handed a start? And what about Craig Gordon?

Find out all this and more in our LIVE blog, with the best build-up ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off.

Ahead of tonight's game, Scotland star Scott McTominay has had some kind words to say about Steve Clarke and says converstions with his national team boss have been key to his fine displays in front of goal for club and county this season.

The 27-year-old netted seven times in qualifying for EURO 2024 to help his team qualify for the finals with a game to spare and has also enjoyed a proflific campaign with Manchester United, with his opener in a dramatic FA Cup quarter final clash with bitter rivals Liverpool earlier this month putting him on nine goals for the season at club level in all competitions.

Lewis Ferguson has called on