Scotland’s ambition in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament is to progress to the next round, according to their manager, Steve Clarke. The team will kick off the tournament against hosts Germany in Munich on Friday, followed by matches against Switzerland on June 19th and Hungary on June 23rd. While Scotland has never advanced beyond the group stage in a major tournament, Clarke believes that accumulating four points in the group stage would guarantee their progression.
Clarke emphasized the importance of each game in isolation, stating that three points and a zero goal difference would likely be enough to advance. He highlighted the team’s performance in the last tournament, where they had to secure at least a point against England in their final game to have a chance of qualifying.
Looking ahead to the final group game against Hungary, Clarke expressed his desire for Scotland to be in a similar situation where they know they can get a result and qualify. He acknowledged that it might come down to their performance in that crucial match, but remained optimistic about their chances.
In terms of team selection, Clarke stated that he has a “fairly good idea” of his starting lineup for the opening match against Germany. He mentioned that there are still two positions he’s mulling over and will make a decision in the coming days. The team received positive news with captain Andy Robertson and Lawrence Shankland returning to training after picking up knocks in a previous session. Kenny McLean also joined the group after sitting out the opening day, while Stuart Armstrong is fully reintegrated after working on his fitness.
The only absentee from the squad is Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who is unavailable due to injury.
As Scotland prepares for their Euro 2024 campaign, there is a sense of cautious optimism surrounding the team. With Clarke’s guidance and a strong lineup, they will be aiming to make history by progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in a major tournament. The final group game against Hungary could prove to be the decisive moment, and Scotland will need to give their all to secure a result and continue their journey in the competition.