Scotland begin Nations League campaign at home to Armenia

Scotland will begin their Nations League campaign at Hampden in June.

Steve Clarke’s team were drawn against Ukraine, Republic of Ireland and Armenia in League B for next year’s tournament and will compete for promotion to the elite level of the competition.

Matches will be played across two international breaks, with four matches at the end of this season and the two concluding matches scheduled for September.

Scotland will begin with two home matches, playing host to Armenia in the opener on Saturday, June 4 and welcoming top seeds Ukraine to Hampden three days later.

The team then travel to Dublin to face Republic of Ireland on Saturday, June 11 and on to Armenia on June 14.

Group games then pause for the summer and Scotland are back in action when they host Republic of Ireland at Hampden on Friday, September 23 with the final match away against Ukraine on Monday, September 26.

Following the draw, Scotland manager Clarke said the backing of fans home and away can help the side gain promotion to the top division and play against the best sides on the continent.

“The travelling Scotland supporters are important for the team,” he said. “The Tartan Army when they are there in their full voice and supporting the lads make a difference.

“Hopefully we can get good home crowds as well. The last two matches at Hampden with the full houses have been magnificent. So let’s see if we can get a few in to Hampden as well.

“We understand the importance of the competition because we qualified for Euro 2020 on the back of a Nations League play-off. What I’d like to aim for is that we qualify as of right for the tournament itself and we don’t need the backup of the Nations League.

“Stepping up to Group A of the Nations League is a realistic target for us but it’s also a realistic target for all four teams in the group. If you have a good tournament and pick up the points you can manage to top the group.

“We came close in the last Nations League but got pipped at the post by the Czech Republic. We will do our best to finish top again this time but if we don’t we will deal with the B games as and when they arrive.”