The European 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying pools have been drawn, and it looks favourable for Scotland, with a second-place finish a realistic possibility.
Armenia - Lithuania - San Marino - Ukraine - France
With the qualifying rounds starting in August, I decide to stay on as Scottish manager, shelving my plans to quietly go after the end of Euro 2016.
After going ultra-defensive with the squad chosen last month, I decide to free up the shackles somewhat for our first few games, and see what effect a more positive approach could bring. John Fleck from Nottingham Forest was given his debut cap, while Lee Wallace from Rangers returns to the Scotland team after a two year hiatus. Michael O'Hallaran from Crewe is another new addition to the squad.
GK - Bell
DEF - Wallace, Martin, Wilson, Hanley
MID - McArthur, Kennedy, Snodgrass, Fleck
FOR - S.Fletcher, Rhodes
25 - Scotland 1-0 (S.Fletcher)
29 - Tied 1-1 (Volodin)
42 - Scotland 2-1 (Fleck)
47 - Tied 2-2 (Volodin)
76 - Kennedy replaced by Ness, Rhodes replaced by O'Halloran
A disappointing result. I think we took Armenia too lightly.
I set myself the target of the maximum six points from our next two games, otherwise my position may well become untenable.
GK - Marshall
DEF - Wallace, Martin, Mulgrew, Wilson
MID - McArthur, Kennedy, Palmer, Morrison
FOR - Rhodes, May
2 - Lithuania 1-0 (Galkauskas)
6 - Tied 1-1 (Rhodes)
7 - Scotland 2-1 (Rhodes)
15 - Scotland 3-1 (Morrison)
19 - Scotland 4-1 (Rhodes)
30 - Scotland 5-1 (Rhodes)
36 - Scotland 6-1 (May)
45 - Kennedy replaced by Snodgrass
90 - Scotland 7-1 (Rhodes)
I am just speechless with this scoreline. Wow! And five goals for Rhodes!
GK - Marshall
DEF - Wallace, Martin, Mulgrew, Wilson
MID - McArthur, Kennedy, Snodgrass, Morrison
FOR - May, Rhodes
10 - Scotland 1-0 (May)
22 - Scotland 2-0 (Mulgrew)
37 - Scotland 3-0 (Morrison)
43 - Scotland 4-0 (Rhodes)
45 - Wilson replaced by Grimmer, Morrison replaced by Palmer
55 - Scotland 5-0 (May)
90 - Scotland 6-0 (Rhodes)
Not a bad four days of internationals! Although, we need to take into account the quality of our opposition thus far. France and Ukraine will be far sterner.
World Cup Qualifying
France 9 (+8)
Scotland 7 (+12)
Ukraine 6 (+4)
Armenia 4 (-1)
Lithuania 0 (-9)
San Marino 0 (-14)