Scotland fans hoping Greece field a weakened side on Saturday are set to be disappointed.
The Greeks’ World Cup qualifying hopes are over after 3-1 defeats to the Scots and Denmark last month extended an absence from major tournaments stretching back to 2014.
But Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou says Ivan Jovanovic and his squad can’t afford to take Steve Clarke’s side lightly in Athens.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, he said: “I envisage Jovanovic playing mostly an experienced team for this game against Scotland.
“Depending on how the game goes, he may bring on a couple of younger players who are due to make their debut.
“Scotland did win last time you guys came to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium and our home form isn’t fantastic at the moment. So there’s doubly an opportunity there for Scotland to get their second win in a row in Greece.
“But this is one where we have to not only perform well at home, which we haven’t done for a while, but show there is grit to this team and the project still has potential.
“I just think they have to give the fans some confidence going into the next European Championship qualifiers because we’re the second-best team record wise in the Nations League.
“We’re pleased to be in Nations League A, but ultimately we want to see Greece in a major tournament. A whole generation has gone by without seeing Greece play at the World Cup or Euros.”
