UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Scotland
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Scotland.
Scotland may have not made the World Cup in 2022, but they are looking to stir up some magic at Euro 2024. “The Tartan Army” was one of the big surprises in Euro 2024 qualifying. In a group with Spain, Norway, and Georgia, they finished second securing automatic qualification. They had some great wins including a 2-0 win over Spain in Glasgow and a 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo that saw two very late goals seal a miraculous victory. Despite that success, Scotland has looked rough as of late going winless in their last seven matches. With the struggles, they have fallen to 39th in the current FIFA rankings.
Euro Appearances
After missing out on five straight Euros, Scotland has made their second straight at Euro 2024. Prior to that “The Tartan Army” had qualified for the Euros twice before. Those came in back-to-back appearances in 1992 and 1996.
Best Finish at the Euros
There has been virtually no success by Scotland in any of their three prior Euro appearances. All three times they have gone out in the group stage. In their last appearance, they did not win a single match while co-hosting Euro 2020.
Key players
Scotland has numerous players who play in some of Europe’s top leagues. The anchor of the team is Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson. The nation’s captain is the second most capped player on the current team with 69 caps just behind goalkeeper Craig Gordon’s 74. Gordon is 41 years old and looks to become the nation’s oldest-ever player if he sees the pitch. Outside of him, there is a lack of caps at the goalkeeper position with three players having combined for a total of 13 caps. Angus Gunn has nine of them and had the majority of playing time during Euro 2024 qualifying. Along with Robertson will be Real Sociedad’s Kieran Tierney holding it down in the back.
The midfield and attack for Scotland look as strong as any they have had in the past. In the midfield, Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay lead the way as the most prolific players. Callum McGregor will also be a staple in the midfield as he looks to transition his success at Celtic to the national stage. Up front Ché Adams of Southampton and James Forrest of Celtic should pose as the goal-scoring threats for “The Tartan Army.”
Manager
Former Scottish national team player Steve Clarke has been in charge of Scotland’s national team since May 2019. Since that time he has led them to consecutive Euro appearances as well as promotion in the UEFA Nations League from League B to League A for the 2024-25 Nations League. As a player, Clarke made six appearances for Scotland while playing in over 330 matches for Chelsea over 11 years. He won numerous titles and was named to Chelsea’s Century XI in 2005.
Biggest Group Game – vs Hungary on June 23
Winning has been very hard for Scotland to come by in the Euros. Their final group stage match against Hungary seems like the best chance for “The Tartan Army” to get their first win at a major tournament since 1996. Hungary was unbeaten in their Euro 2024 qualifying so getting any result here will be easier said than done.
Prediction
Sorry Scotland, but this is going to be another difficult European campaign. Drawn in Group A with Hungary, Switzerland, and the hosts, Germany, it is an uphill battle from the get-go. Sure “The Tartan Army” has some talent, but they are outmatched by all three teams in their group. For that reason I see it being three and done for the Scottish with yet another group stage exit.
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