Denmark vs Scotland live: Steve Clarke’s side begin World Cup qualifying in Copenhagen

Steve Clarke has made seven changes to the side that beat Liechtenstein 4-0 last time out in June.

In goal, Angus Gunn returns in place of Ross Doohan, while in defence there are three changes as Ralston, McKenna and Hendry make way for Aaron Hickey, John Souttar and Grant Hanley.

In midfield, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie take the places of Billy Gilmour and Lennon Miller, while up front Lyndon Dykes comes in for George Hirst.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Maehle; Dreyer, Højbjerg, Hjulmand, Damsgaard; Dolberg; Biereth.

Subs: Dorgu, Gaaei, Gronbaek, Hermansen, Hogsberg, Jørgensen, Froholdt, O’Riley, Osula, Skov Olsen, Vestergaard, Hojlund.

Scotland XI: Gunn; Hickey, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Ferguson, McTominay, Christie, McGinn; Adams, Dykes.

Subs: Kelly, Clark, Doig, Gilmour, Hendry, Miller, McKenna, Gannon-Doak, Hirst, Bowie, Johnston, McLean.

We’re expecting the line-ups to come around 6.15pm, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Clarke will be without Celtic pair Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston who have withdrawn from the Scotland squad, with Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig being called up to replenish his pool. The duo join goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Nathan Patterson as significant injury absentees. Napoli hero Scott McTominay will be expected to start, while Billy Gilmour, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson are also available.

Elliot Anderson is “really thankful” he chose not to represent Scotland at senior level as he hopes for an England debut this week.

The 22-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder, who was born in Whitley Bay, represented Scotland at youth level from Under-16s to Under-21s and boss Steve Clarke named him in the senior squad for matches against Cyprus and England in 2023.

But he withdrew from the squad, citing an injury, and later pledged his allegiance to the country of his birth.

The report from Wales game yesterday, as Craig Bellamy’s side put themselves in a good position in Group J.

Wales went top of their World Cup qualifying group with a hard-fought 1-0 win in Kazakhstan.

Kieffer Moore marked the occasion of his 50th cap with a 24th-minute strike from close range. It was Moore’s 15th international goal and drew him level with the great John Charles.

Wales entered the Group J contest ranked 83 places higher than Kazakhstan in the Fifa world rankings, whose position of 114th casts them among the minnows of European football.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Nissen, Andersen, Christiensen, Dorgu; O’Riley, Hjulmand; Isaksen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund.

Scotland XI: Gunn; Johnston, Souttar, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson; McGinn, Ferguson, Gilmour, McTominay; Adams.

Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Friday 5 September at Parken in Copenhagen.

Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer with coverage starting at 7:30pm BST.

Clarke will be without Celtic pair Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston who have withdrawn from the Scotland squad, with Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig being called up to replenish his pool. The duo join goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Nathan Patterson as significant injury absentees. Napoli hero Scott McTominay will be expected to start, while Billy Gilmour, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson are also available.

Denmark, meanwhile, will have Barcelona star Andreas Christensen back in the fold after 14 months out of the international picture, a huge boost for Riemer’s side. He is expected to form a centre-back partnership with Fulham defender Joachim Anderson.

Scotland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough trip to Denmark as they bid to compete in the tournament’s finals for the first time since 1998.

Steve Clarke’s side will hope to build on their 4-0 thrashing of Lichtenstein last time out, which followed a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park.

Denmark, meanwhile, will look to make it three wins on the trot, with recent victorious international friendlies against Northern Ireland and Lithuania giving Brian Riemer’s side plenty of confidence.

Greece and Belarus are the other nations vying for a place in next year’s World Cup in Group C.