Scotland head to Euro 2024 with an unfamiliar sense of optimism within the air.
The Tartan Military are participating of their fourth European Championship having beforehand by no means made it previous the group stage – together with three years in the past in disappointing type at Euro 2020.
However after qualifying with video games to spare this time round, there may be real hope that Steve Clarke’s males could have what it takes to lastly go additional.
Can this Scotland aspect take the following step and make their mark on the worldwide event stage? Let’s have a deepeer dive to search out out…
Sealing qualification… with ease!
Scotland qualifying for a significant event is uncommon sufficient, so the convenience at which they did so is one thing of a relic.
They wanted a nail-biting penalty shoot-out in a play-off match in opposition to Cyprus to achieve Euro 2020 however this time round it was way more clean crusing.
Pitched as 14-1 outsiders to win a gaggle containing 2012 winners Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway, the Scots claimed the scalp of each these sides throughout a memorable marketing campaign, with Scott McTominay transitioning into an unlikely goalscoring machine.
They spent many of the marketing campaign in prime spot earlier than being pipped by Spain however solely after a spot at Germany this summer time had already been secured.
Profitable 5 out of eight video games general and likewise sealing promotion to the highest tier within the Nations League, Scotland seem able to tackle Europe’s prime groups.
Unhealthy timing?
After qualifying final Autumn whereas using the crest of a wave, Clarke could have been forgiven for wanting the event to begin there after which, with their kind since then hitting a sticky patch.
After their Nations League promotion, Scotland organised friendlies in opposition to higher-quality opponents – taking up England, France and the Netherlands.
These three video games between September and March resulted in 3-1, 4-1 and 4-0 defeats… earlier than they misplaced 1-0 to Northern Eire.
It was a stark reminder of the step up required to change into a risk on the worldwide stage.
Their warm-up video games forward of the event have ever so barely dampended optimism too. After labouring to a 2-0 win over minnows Gibraltar, they let a two-goal lead slip to attract with Finland.
Their group
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland ✅#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/GRedQ1cVPj
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) December 2, 2023
Although it may have been worse, qualifying from a gaggle made up of Germany, Switzerland and Hungary won’t precisely be a stroll within the park and they’re unsurprisingly outsiders to win the group at 11-1.
They are going to have the entire of Europe watching after they kick off the event in opposition to the hosts on Friday, with optimism rising over their nation’s prospects beneath Julian Nagelsmann.
Taking something away from that opener appears a tall order and the Scots will look to the opposite two video games as the possibility to get the factors wanted.
That’s simpler stated than completed although. Switzerland won’t be a risk to the grand prize however are an skilled event staff, whereas Hungary have some notable stars of their ranks.
However with the format seemingly permitting a 3rd place within the group to qualify for the knockout phases, it may properly be anybody’s recreation.
Clarke instructed BBC Sport: “The underside line is we want 4 factors to return out the group, that ensures that you just’ll come out of the group nearly perpetually. That at all times occurs
“Three factors and a zero purpose distinction would most likely get out of the group in order that’s what we now have to have a look at – each recreation in isolation, make it possible for we’re aggressive in each recreation and realistically you go into the final recreation with an opportunity to qualify.
“We play in opposition to Hungary within the final recreation, that’s the place we wish to be – in the same scenario the place we all know we will get a consequence and we will qualify.”
Who will they face in the event that they make it out of the group?
Ought to Scotland trigger an enormous upset and win Group A, they might tackle the runners-up in England’s group.
That seemingly means Denmark within the final 16, earlier than qualiying nemeses Spain within the quarter-finals offering they prime Group B.
In the event that they end second within the group, a last-16 tie in opposition to one among Spain, Italy or Croatia seemingly awaits. Come by that and it might be England within the quarter-finals. Yikes!
Ending third within the group would most likely end in drawing the same high-profile title from Teams B, E or F – containing Spain, Belgium and Portugal respectively.
Who might be key for them?
🔢 Your @EURO2024 Scotland squad numbers 🏴#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/g0cevYWsNS
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) June 10, 2024
Scotland will not be wanting family names we frequently see gentle up the Premier League however there are aerguably just a few noticeable gaps within the aspect Clarke has to select from.
Captain Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney majke up a robust left aspect, with Brighton creator Billy Gilmour additionally working in these areas.
Jack Hendry and Nathan Patterson maybe don’t provide the identical risk on the best, creating one thing of an inbalance within the staff.
That isn’t to say there isn’t a lot extra high quality elsewhere, with McTominay at all times coming alive for his nationwide aspect, as does fellow superior midfielder John McGinn who has simply loved an excellent marketing campaign for Aston Villa.
These two might be tasked with taking the goalscoring burden away from a light-weight set of goalscoring strikers, with Lyndon Dykes dominated out and Che Adams not a prolific No9.
Laurence Shankland definitely has been that with 31 objectives for Hearts this season, nevertheless. The 31-year-old is filled with confidence and should show one thing of an unknown amount on the continent.
Good vibes solely
Regardless of just a few disappointing leads to the build-up to the event, Clarke has bought no time for any negativity as they embark on one other main event journey.
He stated: “Any time I learn just a little snippet from somebody who needs to be a unfavourable Norman I simply dismiss it as a result of what’s to be unfavourable about?
“We’re going into one other main event, the squad is in place and we’re all decided to do in addition to we will for our nation. Why not simply calm down and luxuriate in it?
“That’s what we’re going to attempt to do. Clearly we’ve bought to attempt to produce the products on the pitch and that’s what we’ll do.
“I simply don’t perceive why anybody could be unfavourable a few second European Championships in a row and actually good squad of gamers who’ve proven how good they’re for his or her nation.
“Let’s get behind them and provides them an actual probability.”
The welcome occasion 🇩🇪
🕺 @jmcginn7 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/RUErC8rTRO
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) June 9, 2024
Verdict
Scotland have come on leaps and bounds in three years and the way in which they have been comfortably swept apart at Euro 2020 – apart from THAT England draw – is unquestionably out of the query.
Clarke’s troops have an actual probability of creating historical past by reaching the knockout phases, one thing no different Scottish staff has achieved, they usually have nearly as good an opportunity as Switzerland or Hungary in that group.
However whether or not troubling the larger nations in the event that they get there may simply be a step too far.
