Scotland vs Iceland Free Bets & Preview: Tartan Trouble Brewing at Ibrox?

Scotland vs Iceland Free Bets & Preview: Tartan Trouble Brewing at Ibrox?

Friday, 6 June 2025 | Kick-Off: 7:45pm | Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

There are few things more depressingly Scottish than heading into a friendly off the back of a soul-sapping defeat and staring down the barrel of another likely embarrassment. Yet here we are. Friday night under the Ibrox lights, and Scotland welcome Iceland in what is, ostensibly, a morale-boosting warm-up. For whom, exactly, remains to be seen.

With the Tartan Army’s confidence now as fragile as a shortbread biscuit in a rainstorm, it’s hard to know whether this is a genuine chance to rebuild—or another looming PR disaster. Meanwhile, Iceland arrive licking wounds of their own, but they’ll fancy this. After all, if you were to draw up a script for a rousing away win at the expense of a deflated nation, this would be it.

And if you’re contemplating a flutter on the Friday night fare, leading UK bookmaker Ladbrokes are dishing out their popular “Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets” new customer offer—ideal if you’re backing Iceland to dish out a lesson in Nordic efficiency. Because let’s be honest, this has the scent of a Scottish shambles written all over it.

From Hampden Horror to Ibrox Introspection

Let’s rewind to where things started going south—figuratively, though on the pitch it was often literally too. After rising through the ranks and reaching League A of the Nations League, Scotland were promptly reminded they were punching well above their tartan socks.

Their reward for a fairly respectable qualifying campaign was a brutal Euro 2024 group-stage exit. One point. Bottom of the pile. Confidence shattered like a dropped Irn-Bru bottle. That was followed by a pair of wins—yes, wins!—over Croatia and Poland in the final Nations League group ties. Hopes stirred. Briefly.

Then came Greece. A respectable 1-0 win in the first leg of their relegation playoff gave Steve Clarke’s men a sliver of belief. But back in Glasgow, the gods weren’t smiling. A 3-0 shellacking sent Scotland tumbling back into League B with a level of grace akin to a giraffe on ice skates.

Iceland’s Fridge-Door Form

Iceland, for their part, have also endured their share of heartbreak. Remember when they were the darlings of the football world? The Viking clap, the thunderous counterattacks, the wonderfully unpronounceable squad? Well, that charm has worn off.

Since that fairy-tale run to the Euros in 2016 and a cheeky cameo at the 2018 World Cup, Iceland have been knocked back to Earth with all the subtlety of a collapsing glacier. Their latest gut-punch came in the 2024 Euros playoff final, where they led Ukraine 1-0—only to concede twice and crash out like a Eurovision entry with no chorus.

Their recent record? Three wins in ten, including a 5-2 aggregate thumping from Kosovo. Still, they’ve shown flickers of life. And compared to the absolute funk Scotland are in, they might fancy turning up to Ibrox and spoiling the locals’ Friday night.

Team News: A Bit of Everything, Including Teenagers

Steve Clarke has decided to open the door to a few newbies—presumably in a desperate attempt to stumble upon someone, anyone, who can trap a ball and pass it five yards under pressure. Enter Kieron Bowie, Robby McCrorie, Cieran Slicker, Connor Barron, Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Lennon Miller. Yes, that Lennon Miller. He’s 18, full of energy, and hasn’t yet had his dreams crushed by years of international underachievement. Lucky lad.

The man in focus, of course, is Scott McTominay. Fresh off a Serie A-winning season with Napoli, and rumoured to have singlehandedly carried them to glory with a mix of screaming volleys and no-nonsense tackles, he’s now the Scottish saviour. Billy Gilmour, ever the technical foil, could partner him in midfield, while Miller might get his first taste of senior action.

John McGinn and Tommy Conway look set to do the wide-running, with Che Adams up front, probably wondering why he bothered switching allegiances in the first place.

As for Iceland, Orri Oskarsson’s seven goals in 16 games would’ve made him a threat, but he’s out injured. Enter Andri Gudjohnsen—yes, the latest footballing Gudjohnsen—and Albert Gudmundsson, who’s been doing just enough to stay on the team sheet. In goal, Hakon Valdimarsson is expected to be the proverbial brick wall, while Stefan Thordarson and Sverrir Ingason will look to stop Scotland scoring anything resembling a goal.

Tactical Trainwreck or Brave Experiment?

You can never be entirely sure what to expect from a Steve Clarke side. One week, they’re putting in a spirited display against some Eastern European giant; the next, they’re defending like they’ve all just met in the car park. It’s a bit like asking a cat to do your taxes: they’ll occasionally tap the right keys, but don’t hold your breath for a coherent plan.

The system often looks solid on paper—until it meets the pitch. The 4-2-3-1 used against Greece quickly turned into a 9-0-1 as soon as things got a bit spicy. And now, with several newbies thrown into the squad, we could be treated to that wonderful cocktail of youthful enthusiasm and tactical disarray. So basically: expect chaos.

Meanwhile, Iceland are a bit more, shall we say, industrial. They don’t bother with flashy formations or high-press nonsense. Their approach is closer to ‘boots, blocks, and get it to the big lad up top.’ It might not win any awards for artistic merit, but when you’re playing Scotland away, you don’t need a Rembrandt—you just need a decent set of chisels.

Player to Watch: McTominay or McMessiah?

If ever there was a player carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders with the same reluctant enthusiasm as someone dragging their bin down the drive in the rain, it’s Scott McTominay. To be fair to the lad, he’s done brilliantly at Napoli—his first touch has improved, his confidence is soaring, and crucially, he’s remembered how to shoot.

And in this Scotland side, that’s apparently enough to warrant Messiah status. But while he might be pinging screamers in Serie A, doing it for Scotland is a different kettle of deep-fried Mars bars. He’ll need help. Preferably from players who can pass in straight lines and don’t trip over their own feet.

Lennon Miller could be the surprise package—young, tenacious, and still too green to realise how soul-destroying international football can be. If he avoids being swallowed by the occasion, he might just shine.

Betting Outlook: Where the Value Hides

For the punters among us—and we know you’re out there frantically refreshing the betting app—there’s plenty of intrigue here. Scotland might be slight favourites with the bookies, but anyone with a passing interest in actual footballing logic might see value in Iceland.

Backing Iceland to win by two goals looks very cheeky indeed, and if you really want to have a laugh, stick a few free bet bonuses on Gudmundsson to score first. The man’s overdue something spectacular, and what better place to do it than in front of 50,000 deflated Glaswegians?

And don’t forget—Ladbrokes’ “Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets” offer is still knocking about. Use that wisely, and you might soften the blow of watching Scotland do what Scotland do best: disappoint.

Historical Relevance: The Weight of the Kilt

For all their national pride, Scotland have made something of a habit out of footballing mediocrity. Their record against Iceland might be six wins from six, but that’s about as relevant in 2025 as a MySpace login. The last meeting was in 2009, back when Twitter was fun, TikTok wasn’t born, and Scotland were… well, still largely disappointing.

Iceland, meanwhile, have moved on. They’ve tasted major tournament football. They’ve beaten England in a knockout game (a fact they’ll never stop reminding us of). They’ve got a bit of pedigree, even if it’s covered in dust at the moment.

This friendly might be statistically lopsided in Scotland’s favour, but reputations don’t win matches. In fact, Scotland’s reputation might actively cost them one.

The Crowd Factor: Tartan Cheers or Jeers?

You have to feel for the Scotland faithful. They turn up, they belt out “Flower of Scotland” like it’s their last ever song on Earth, and then they’re treated to 90 minutes of sideways passing, defensive howlers, and missed sitters.

The Ibrox crowd won’t be quiet, but their patience is thinner than a half-time Bovril. Another early goal for the visitors, and the mood will sour quicker than milk left on a park bench.

If Iceland smell blood—and frankly, they will—they might well crank up the volume with every hopeful punt upfield. It’s not pretty, but against a wobbly Scottish side, it could be very, very effective.

Parting Shot: Bring a Raincoat and a Sense of Humour

In the grand scheme of things, it’s just a friendly. But try telling that to the fans who’ve spent £80 on tickets, £9 on pies, and God knows how much on emotional investment over the years.

Scotland need a performance. Not a 20-pass move ending in a tame shot wide. Not a spirited 0-1 defeat. A proper, crowd-pleasing, confidence-building win. Unfortunately, what they’re likely to get is a cold reminder that this squad still has a long, long way to go.

Iceland? Well, they might not be world-beaters, but they’re a compact, efficient, slightly angry unit—and those types tend to do well at Ibrox on a Friday night.

Final Score Prediction: Iceland 2-0 Scotland
Brace for boos, switch off your phones, and don’t forget to cash in those free bets before full-time.

From a Betting Perspective

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

Let’s start with the big picture: the outright winner market. Scotland are the favourites at 4/6, which is shorter than a kilt in a windstorm. They’re backed to steamroll Iceland, who are priced at a chilly 4/1 to pull off an upset. Fancy a stalemate? The draw’s at 14/5, suggesting this could be tighter than a Scotsman’s wallet at a ceilidh. If you’re pondering a punt on this friendly, these odds are screaming for attention, but choosing a winner here is like picking your favourite Irn-Bru flavour—tricky, but someone’s got to do it.

Who’ll Break the Ice First?

The first goalscorer market is where the real drama kicks off, like the opening chord of a bagpipe solo. Leading the charge is Scotland’s Che Adams at 9/2, a striker with the knack for popping up when you least expect it, like a deep-fried Mars bar at a health food convention. Hot on his heels is Tommy Conway at 5/1, followed by Scott McTominay and James Wilson, both at 11/2. Kieron Bowie and George Hirst are at 6/1, ready to make their mark, while a goalless draw—No Goalscorer—sits at 9/1, as likely as a sunny day in Glasgow.

For the Icelanders, Andri Gudjohnsen is at 11/1 to score first, while Albert Gudmundsson is at 23/2. Andy Irving (12/1), Willum Willumsson, Kristian Hlynsson, and Lennon Miller (all 16/1) are in the mix, followed by Jon Thorsteinsson, John McGinn, and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson at 18/1. Further down, you’ve got Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Arnor Sigurdsson, and Mikael Anderson at 20/1, with Mikael Ellertsson and Arnor Ingvi Traustason at 22/1. The long shots include Connor Barron, Josh Doig, and Max Johnston at 25/1, and Bjarki Bjarkason, Jack Hendry, Kieran Tierney, and Isak Bergmann Johannesson at 28/1. Fancy a defender like Andrew Robertson, Billy Gilmour, Grant Hanley, Stefan Thordarson, Thorir Helgason, or Nathan Patterson? They’re all 33/1. John Souttar (35/1), Scott McKenna (40/1), Hordur Magnusson (50/1), Daniel Gretarsson, Aron Einar Gunnarsson (both 55/1), and Sverrir Ingason or Logi Tomasson (60/1) round out the list. If you’re using any of the free bets available from our featured betting sites, backing a long shot like Magnusson could either make you a legend or leave you crying into your porridge.

Anytime Goalscorer: Who’s Got the Knack?

If you’re not fussed about who scores first but just want someone to find the net, the anytime goalscorer market is your playground. Che Adams leads at 33/20, followed by Tommy Conway at 7/4 and Scott McTominay at 2/1. George Hirst (9/4), James Wilson (5/2), and Kieron Bowie (13/5) are all poised to trouble the Icelandic defence. For Iceland, Andri Gudjohnsen is at 4/1, Lewis Ferguson at 17/4, and Andy Irving at 19/4. Albert Gudmundsson (24/5), Willum Willumsson (6/1), Jon Thorsteinsson (13/2), and Lennon Miller (13/2) are worth a look, while John McGinn, Arnor Sigurdsson, and Kristian Hlynsson are at 7/1, 15/2, and 15/2 respectively.

Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (8/1), Max Johnston, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Mikael Anderson, and Arnor Ingvi Traustason (all 9/1) offer decent value, while Mikael Ellertsson, Connor Barron, and Isak Bergmann Johannesson are at 10/1. Josh Doig, Bjarki Bjarkason, John Souttar, Stefan Thordarson, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, and Grant Hanley are all 12/1, with Anthony Ralston, Andrew Robertson, Thorir Helgason, Nathan Patterson, and Billy Gilmour at 14/1. Scott McKenna (16/1), Hordur Magnusson, Aron Einar Gunnarsson (both 20/1), Logi Tomasson, Daniel Gretarsson, and Victor Palsson (all 22/1) complete the list. With the bookies offering a wide range of new-customer sign-up bonuses, you could take a punt on a defender like Robertson and hope he channels his inner Cafu.

Half Time/Full Time: A Game of Two Halves

The half time/full time market is where you can flex your psychic powers. Scotland leading at both half time and full time is priced at 17/10, while a draw at half time followed by a Scotland win is 15/4. A draw at both intervals is 23/5, and Iceland winning the whole shebang is 17/2. If Iceland lead at half time but Scotland claw it back for a draw, that’s 18/1, while a Scotland lead at half time ending in a draw is 16/1. Iceland leading at half time and winning is 10/1, but Scotland leading at half time only for Iceland to nick it is a whopping 55/1. And if you think Iceland could lead at the break but Scotland storm back, that’s 28/1. This market’s got more twists than a Highland road, so choose wisely with your free bets.

Winning Margin: By How Much?

The winning margin market is where you predict just how badly one team will humiliate the other. Scotland to win by one goal is 13/5, by two goals is 4/1, by three goals is 17/2, and by four or more goals is 16/1. Iceland to win by one goal is 13/2, by two goals is 16/1, by three goals is 55/1, and by four or more is a jaw-dropping 175/1. A score draw is 9/2, and a 0-0 draw is 9/1. If you’re feeling bold, backing Scotland to run riot could be a fun way to spend your free bets.

Hat Trick Heroes: Dream Big or Go Home

Fancy someone to go full Lionel Messi and bag a hat trick? Che Adams is the favourite at 40/1, followed by Kieron Bowie at 66/1 and Tommy Conway at 70/1. Scott McTominay is 90/1, while George Hirst and James Wilson are both 100/1. Lewis Ferguson and Andy Irving are at 250/1, with Lennon Miller at 400/1. For Iceland, Albert Gudmundsson is 425/1, Andri Gudjohnsen is 475/1, and Willum Willumsson, Arnor Sigurdsson, Stefan Thordarson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Kristian Hlynsson, Jon Thorsteinsson, Hordur Magnusson, John McGinn, and Andrew Robertson are all 500/1. Max Johnston rounds it out at 600/1. These odds are longer than a Scottish winter, but if you’re dreaming big with UK free bet offers, why not take a punt?

Total Goals: A Feast or a Famine?

The total goals market is where you guess whether this match will be a goal-fest or a snoozefest. Under 3 goals is 7/18, under 2.5 is 17/20, under 2 is 7/5, under 1.5 is 27/10, and under 0.5 is 21/2. If you’re expecting both teams to park the bus harder than a double-decker in Edinburgh, these are your bets. On the flip side, over 1.5 goals is 1/3, over 2 is 1/2, over 2.5 is evens (1/1), over 3 is 7/4, and over 3.5 is 13/5. For the optimists, over 4.5 goals is 6/1, over 5.5 is 16/1, over 6.5 is 33/1, and over 7.5 or 8.5 are both 66/1. If you think this’ll be a goalfest, grab your free bet bonuses and pray for chaos.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks—a preview so comprehensive it could double as a Scottish tourism brochure. Scotland vs. Iceland is set to be a belter, with Che Adams, Tommy Conway, and the Tartan Army ready to take on Iceland’s Viking spirit. Whether you’re backing Scotland to dominate, Iceland to shock, or a draw to leave everyone grumbling, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved with bookmaker bonus offers. This match has it all: goals, drama, and enough Nordic-Tartan tension to make a Braveheart sequel look tame. So, fire up your free bets, hold onto your sporrans, and let’s see if Scotland can conquer the icy invaders or if Iceland will leave them colder than a January dip in Loch Ness.