Tuesday’s briefing: Tuchel to keep contact and heavyweights book World Cup spots

England head coach Thomas Tuchel plans to make the path to a place in his World Cup finals squad abundantly clear as the remaining home nations limber up for defining nights in their qualifying quest.

Scotland face Denmark with a place in next summer’s finals at stake, while Wales can make their play-off quest distinctly easier if they get a result against opponents North Macedonia.

Meanwhile the heavyweights have passports to North America at the ready after Germany swatted aside the challenge of Slovakia in Leipzig, while the Netherlands also confirmed their place in the finals by breezing past Lithuania.

Tuchel vows to underline requirements for World Cup place

Thomas Tuchel has vowed to video call or visit every overlooked player on England’s long list to explain his autumn decisions and lay out what is required for them to break into his World Cup plans.

The Euro 2024 runners-up rounded off a fine first year under the German coach in Albania on Sunday, when a 2-0 victory meant they finished qualification with eight Group K wins without conceding.

Clarity has been key during the German’s reign and something he will provide to those on the fringes during the four months between now and March’s final camp before he names his tournament selection.

“First of all, it’s my job now to make contact with everyone, players like Trent,” Tuchel said when asked about Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold, who saw former Liverpool team-mate Jarell Quansah make his debut at right-back in Tirana.

“Players that are on our long list, 55, 60 players, to reach out to them, be in touch with them, explain to them why they were not here. Explain to them what they have to do, where they can improve.”

Gilmour to miss crunch Scotland clash

Billy Gilmour will miss Scotland’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Denmark on Tuesday.

The Napoli midfielder missed the 3-2 defeat away to Greece on Saturday with a reported abductor problem but it was hoped he would be fit enough for the final Group C fixture at Hampden Park, where a win for Steve Clarke’s side will secure a place in next summer’s World Cup.

However, Gilmour was not at training on Monday morning and Clarke said: “No, Billy didn’t make it.

“[He’s] still suffering from his injury, everyone else is fit and ready to go.”

Second is everything for Wales boss Bellamy

Craig Bellamy admits finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group is “massive” for Wales with the carrot of a home semi-final in the March play-offs.

Wales host unbeaten North Macedonia in their final qualifier on Tuesday in a battle for the runners-up spot behind Belgium, who are expected to complete the formalities of topping Group J against Liechtenstein in Liege.

North Macedonia’s superior goal difference means Wales have to win to climb above them and get home advantage in the play-offs.

If they do not, Wales will be among the bottom seeds in the play-off draw and left with a tough assignment away to a pot one nation – which includes Italy.

“It’s massive,” Wales manager Bellamy said when discussing play-off scenarios at his pre-match press conference.

“I can lie and say it’s not. But, come on, to finish second and have a home game is huge.”

Germany and Netherlands cruise into finals

Heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands confirmed their respective places at next summer’s World Cup finals after wrapping up their qualifying campaigns in style.

Germany turned their winner-takes-all Group A clash with Slovakia in Leipzig into a cakewalk as two Leroy Sane goals helped Julian Nagelsmann’s side surge to a 6-0 win.

Nick Woltemade and Serge Gnabry settled the hosts’ nerves before Sane’s quickfire brace put the Germans out of sight before half time, Ridle Baku and debutant Assane Ouedrago wrapping it up after the break.

The Netherlands also confirmed qualification by breezing past Lithuania 1-0 in Amsterdam, meaning Poland, for whom a late Piotr Zielinski strike secured an unconvincing 3-2 win in Malta, must go into the play-offs.

Celtic keep faith in interim management team

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will continue to take charge of Celtic while the club appoint their new manager.

The 73-year-old former Parkhead boss and the ex-Hoops player were put in interim control of the first team after Brendan Rodgers resigned last month.

It has been reported recently that the Celtic board have been interviewing candidates, with Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy emerging as the new bookmakers’ favourite.

On their official website, the Parkhead club stated that it “will update supporters further as soon as possible”.

What’s on today?

Scotland hope to secure their plane ticket to North America with victory at Hampden, while Wales aim to seal second place in Group J by beating North Macedonia.

In the Enterprise National League, struggling Morecambe host Brackley.