Steve Clarke digging 'deep' for Scotland talent as boss has 4 selection puzzles to solve for Georgia and Norway

Steve Clarke will make his 50th dugout appearance as Scotland boss this weekend but while the nation gets ready to raise a glass to the next half century, he's focused on getting the best out of his fringe stars in Tbilisi.

The Scots have picked their time to come down with an injury crisis with captain Andy Robertson and key men like Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Angus Gunn on the burgeoning injury list for the double-header with Georgia and Norway. Bad luck has picked one of the more convenient times to strike as we've already qualified for Euro 2024, but as far as Clarke is concerned, there is nothing dead rubber about the two remaining games.

Better Spain's results in this camp and Scotland have a chance of winning the group and going to Germany as top seeds. But even if the Spanish fail to drop points in their remaining games - the likely scenario given they face Cyprus and Georgia - it is key we finish on as many points as possible and maximising our chances of a favourable group.

That's something that isn't lost on Clarke as he faces a number of decisions on who will start in big positions. He said: "I think over the course of my tenure I've always tried to look a little bit deeper. There will be some squads like this one where there are a number of players missing. It's a chance for someone else. If anyone else can do better it makes my selection more difficult going into next year and the selection will be difficult for me.

"I have to find the right 23 for next summer. For now, some boys are in the squad with a chance to make a big impression on not just me but the rest of the staff and the rest of the country. Let's see how they perform in the game."

Greg Taylor looks the obvious replacement for Andy