Bojan Miovski believes Scotland are under as much pressure as North Macedonia as both sides struggle for goals ahead of their Nations League clash in Skopje on Saturday. The Rangers striker will lead the line for his country against Sebastien Pocognoli's side.
Scotland's goal drought
The Scots have not scored in four games - the first time since 1971 - and the new Belgian head coach is still searching for a victory. If his team fails to find the back of the net after 22 minutes at the weekend, it will be Scotland's worst run ever without a goal.
North Macedonia are also toiling up front, having failed to score in six games. Their last strike came in a 7-1 defeat to Wales in November last year, with Miovski getting on the scoresheet. Goce Sedloski's side has opened their Nations League campaign with defeats to Switzerland and Slovenia, conceding five goals in the process.
Miovski sees similarities
Miovski says there are similarities between both countries as they try to introduce younger players into the squad. He said: "Are there similarities between Scotland and Macedonia? Yes, in this moment. Scotland are struggling to score and I read that they need to score in 22 minutes or they will break some bad record."
"They haven't scored a goal so far in this competition, just like us. So yeah, they are under pressure and we are also under pressure. But we will just look at ourselves and focus on our own national team. But we need a collective effort to win this game and prove our togetherness on the pitch."
Miovski is now in his fifth season in Scottish football after his stint at Aberdeen before moving to Rangers via Girona in Spain. The 27-year-old has an affinity with his adopted nation but would love to score the goal that gets North Macedonia a victory over Pocognoli's men.
Club form and international focus
Miovski hasn't played as much as he'd have liked for Rangers under Derek McInnes this term, but with fellow strikers Youssef Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland injured, he could still have a big part to play in their title challenge. His late winner against St Mirren last month was a pivotal moment for McInnes.
He said: "I have a really nice feeling about Scotland, it's my fifth year there. I have played the best years of my career there and I still have three years left on my contract at Rangers. So I only have positives to say about their national team. But of course, if I score against them it would be really nice."
Miovski didn't want to discuss club matters at North Macedonia's pre-match press conference in Skopje. But he knows how good Scotland are and admits he's surprised they didn't do better under Steve Clarke at this summer's World Cup. He also admits they learned very little against Pocognoli's side from Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat to the Swiss at Hampden - after Scotland were reduced to 10 men so early in the game.
Sedloski calls for support
Meanwhile, head coach Sedloski insists his team can turn their campaign around by getting a positive result against the Scots at the Todor Proeski Stadium. He has faced flak from national team supporters, with a social media campaign threatening to boycott the match against Scotland. He has also been heavily criticised for selecting Vardar striker Azer Omeragikj, who is the son of the North Macedonia Football Federation President, Masar Omeragikj.
Sedloski said: "The atmosphere in the squad is good now. The last two defeats are behind us. I want to invite all the supporters to come and support us in this game. The more spectators we have, the better it will be for the national team. In Scotland, the stadiums are always full. We need all of our supporters to be with us when it's difficult."
"I'm not looking for excuses. We are prepared to show our character on the pitch. The result against Slovenia was not good but we can improve. We have not scored a goal but that is not our aim - our aim is to win. If we just score one goal and lose it won't change anything. Scotland are physically very strong. We have to be prepared for that but play our own football. We cannot just accept their game because if we do that then we will be in trouble."
