Denmark v Scotland: Andy Robertson says Scots will have fighting spirit against Danes

Scotland last played Denmark in 2016

Scotland will "fight for each other" when their depleted side take on Denmark on Wednesday in their World Cup qualifier, says captain Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, the Danes lead Group F with a 100% record after three matches, while Scotland sit second on five points.

"They are fantastic players," said Robertson of Scotland's hosts.

"They have a team that is willing to fight for each other and, when you have that, it is always a difficult opponent to play against.

"But we have that as well. We fight for each other, we go out and try to leave nothing on the pitch."

The hosts are unbeaten in their past 20 qualifiers for the World Cup/European Championships (W13 D7) since a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Montenegro in October 2016.

Scotland have lost just two of their last 15 World Cup qualifying matches (W8 D5) and are unbeaten in each of their last nine since a 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley in November 2016.

• What lessons can Scotland learn from Euro 2020?

Both nations hit by call-offs

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, Rangers full-back Nathan Patterson and Motherwell captain Stephen O'Donnell miss the trip to Copenhagen for Covid-related reasons but are expected to be available for the following matches against Moldova and Austria.

Kevin Nisbet has a knock and the Hibernian striker will be left behind in a bid to recover.

Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Greg Taylor sit the triple-header out with injuries.

Denmark also need to contend with a long list of absentees, with Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite and Nice striker Kasper Dolberg among seven withdrawals from the original home squad.

Leicester City defender Jannik Vestergaard is another notable player missing through injury.

Inter Milan's Christian Eriksen continues to recover after suffering a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020.

Denmark buoyed by Euros run

Denmark recovered from the traumatic loss of Eriksen in an opening group defeat by Finland to go all the way to the semi-finals, where they fell to England in extra-time.

Currently ranked 11th in the world, they reached the last 16 at the 2018 World Cup but did not qualify in 2014.

Their best World Cup showing was a quarter-final place at France 1998, which was the last time Scotland reached the biggest stage of all.

"They impressed everyone, the way they bounced back from the horrific thing that happened and obviously, luckily Eriksen is okay," said Robertson.

"The players dealt with it magnificently and went on to make their country even prouder.

"They started to show their quality on the pitch by getting to the semi-finals and that is what we have got to be worried about tomorrow night."

Can Scotland make it three in a row?

Scotland's Euro 2020 experience was not so encouraging, with just one point taken from three group games.

However, the visitors have been victorious in the two most recent meetings with the Danes - friendlies at Hampden in 2016 and 2011 - and lead the overall head-to-head by 10 wins to six. There has never been a draw between the nations.

Scotland last met Denmark in World Cup qualifying ahead of the 1974 tournament, winning 4-1 away and 2-0 at home.

What they said

Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "It has caught us out a little bit. Its just the way it is with the Covid restrictions and the rules. Different countries have different rules.

"We started with a squad of 26 and go to Denmark with 19 (including three goalkeepers)."

Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand: "Three games in six days is just over the top at this point of the season.

"However, this means that more people can play two matches or maybe two-and-a-half matches.

"The most important thing is that we get to play with great energy and hit a high level of intensity in the matches. We must have fresh legs on the field."