Scotland’s trip to Czech Republic has been shrouded in uncertainty but Stuart Armstrong is at ease with the arrangements for tonight’s Nations League fixture.
A Covid-19 cluster within the Czech camp has forced the home side to disassemble their main squad which defeated Slovakia 3-1 on Friday, with an entirely new coaching team and fresh 23-man pool selected for tonight’s encounter in Olomouc.
The Czechs had originally announced they would not face the Scots in a statement they issued on Friday night, however UEFA confirmed the game would go ahead as planned the following day.
Inverness-born midfielder Armstrong insists he never expected the match to be called off, given his contentment with the guidelines in place to thwart the spread of coronavirus within football.
Armstrong said: “I’m not surprised it’s going ahead at all. It would have been very unusual if it wasn’t going ahead. I think everyone has prepared for it going ahead anyway, especially with the ruling around the situation.
“We heard of the news on the way back from the Israel game. There was a bit of uncertainty for a short period of time, but it was cleared up pretty quickly in the morning. It was business as usual – we were back training and just carried on as we were preparing for the game.
“The expectation from us was that the game would go ahead.
“Football is continuing across the world with protocols in place, and a large part of that has been very successful.
“The testing we have been doing here, and the whole protocol around the camp, has been top level – as it has been with clubs going back for pre-season.
“It has been a continuation of that very good testing situation and control.
“We are very careful and we follow the protocol, and we are all very comfortable with how things are progressing.”
Southampton’s Armstrong will begin his new club season away to Crystal Palace on Saturday, following a seven-week shutdown since the conclusion of the previous English Premier League campaign.
Former Celtic and Dundee United player Armstrong is confident Saints are not concerned about his international involvement, adding: “Obviously clubs have been in contact to ask about the situation, but it was cleared up pretty quickly.
“I wouldn’t say they are edgy. I think they have trust in the organisations we are going to away to represent.
“Within the team there are a number of players across different countries. There is a lot of preparation that goes into that, a lot of contact between the club and the international countries.
“Everything is very well prepared so I would say they are quite happy with the situation.”
The new-look squad assembled by tonight’s opponents contains only two players – Roman Hubnik and Stanislav Tecl – who have previously been capped.
Despite the change in circumstances making Steve Clarke’s men favourites, Armstrong does not expect to be burdened with any additional pressure against a Czech side ranked 45th in the world – five places above the Scots.
The 28-year-old added: “With any game there is always a bit of pressure and expectation, as we have grown accustomed to over the years.
“This is no exception. It’s obviously an unusual circumstance, where they have had to change their entire squad. I don’t think anyone has seen anything like that before.
“We will prepare for the game to the best of our capabilities. I’m sure whatever team they field, it will be a good one nonetheless, although maybe slightly less experienced.
“We will be looking to go into the game with optimism, and hoping to take as much away from it as possible.”
