GLASGOW // Scotland striker Steven Naismith says the emphasis will be on attack as his side prepare to take on Georgia in their European Championship Group D qualifying match at Ibrox.
The Scots earned many plaudits for their performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat away to world champions Germany in the first qualifying match, a result which brought to an end a six-match unbeaten run for Gordon Strachan’s side.
Read more: Poland’s Robert Lewandowski on Germany: ‘Maybe they will be too confident’
However, Group D rivals the Republic of Ireland and Poland have already stolen a march on the Dark Blues by beating the Georgians and Gibraltar respectively, and Naismith knows the Scots risk being left behind if they do not pick up three points this weekend.
And the Everton striker believes the Scotland manager will allow his side to play with more freedom against Georgia.
“I think we will be more positive. Playing with two strikers doesn’t necessarily mean you are being more positive but the manager will have a system in mind. He has very rarely got it wrong since he took over,” Naismith said.
“But one thing for sure is that we will be more attacking than we were in Germany. We will need to be.
“Being at home you want to get the crowd behind you, dictate the tempo and play an advanced game that creates chances. So that has to be our main aim from the kick-off.
“We need to push the momentum we have on into the campaign. But we have 90 minutes to break them down, it’s not a case of needing to force it.
“In any international game the away team tends to start off compact and tries to feel their way into it, so we expect that.
“But you just need to look at the Ireland game. It took a fantastic bit of skill from Aiden McGeady to win it, so we know it’s not going to be easy.
“We will need to be patient in spells and keep the ball, and when chances come along we have to take them.”
Naismith has been in great form for his club this season having netted four times in eight games including strikes against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
But after netting against some of the best teams in the English Premiership Naismith dismisses the suggestion he will find it easier against Georgia.
“It’s not as simple as that. Every game is different and Georgia will have a different game plan. But I definitely feel I can go up against the best, club or country,” the striker said.
“We showed with the Germany game how far we have come. We didn’t go into that game hoping to win, we went in believing that we can.
“We know what we have here is something special and we believe we can qualify. We need to deliver on the promise shown over the last 18 months.”
There are no new injury problems in the Scotland squad, with Burnley’s Matt Gilks called in last week after Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor was ruled out with a shoulder problem.
Cardiff City’s David Marshall looks certain to retain the number one shirt, although Craig Gordon has been in excellent form with Celtic.
Captain Scott Brown is sure to start in midfield, having missed the loss in Germany through injury, and fit-again Andy Robertson may replace Steven Whittaker at left-back.
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