Scotland EURO 2024 preview
By Johnny Murray
Scotland preparations begin for the Euros (Image: Getty Images)
As Scotland jet off to Amsterdam for their first of two warm up friendlies against the
Netherlands and Northern Ireland, the excitement and anticipation is building up for this
summer’s trip to Germany for EURO 2024.
Scotland’s qualification marks their second visit to the top stage in the past 3 years but the
feeling in the camp is marginally improved after recent fortunes have turned for Steve
Clarke’s tartan army. As the weeks continue to count down until the opening game in
Munich against the hosts, debates are beginning around how the team should line up.
GOALKEEPER SITUATION
There are four goalies in the current squad (Image: Getty Images)
To the surprise of some, veteran keeper Craig Gordon is still in about the action at 41 years
young. Many would have written him off after his horrific double leg break back in
December 2022 after a collision with Steven Fletcher. However, he has since made his
return to first team action, granted only against lower-level opposition on 3 occasions.
Many feel given his vast experience and class he should be the one wearing the gloves in
Germany.
On the other hand, Gordon’s absence has saw the emergence of the younger Angus Gunn.
Norwich’s number 1 who made 27 caps for England at younger levels switched allegiances in
March 2023, thanks to his Scottish born father. He has since started every game in-between
the sticks for Scotland and made a decent name for himself in that time.
Gordon and Gunn remain the two in line to start with different aspects of their game being
highlighted. Many feel Gunn is better in aspects like his ability on the ball and passing.
However, Gordon’s shot stopping ability is world class on it’s day and can’t be overlooked.
There are also outside shouts for Gordon’s Hearts teammate Zander Clark.
WHO LEADS THE LINE?
Lawrence Shankland is in top form (Image: Getty Images)
An ever-present theme in Steve Clark’s reign since 2019 has been issues with the forward
options. Whilst scoring goals hasn’t been a huge issue with players popping up all over the
park when called upon, there is a void that needs filled in the vacant number 9 shirt.
Australian born Lyndon Dykes has netted 9 times in 35 appearances since his debut in 2020
but has functioned as more of a hold-up player providing support for another striker in
behind.
This support has been to try and encourage more goals from striker Che Adams who was
made eligible for Scotland in 2021 but has struggled to hit the ground running with a measly
5 goals in 27 outings. Ryan Christie has also played a higher position in recent times and has
popped up with some crucial goals, but the role still isn’t suited to him.
The answer to this problem may lie very close to home, in the form of Hearts striker
Lawrence Shankland. While Shanklands goalscoring is nothing new, with him perfecting his
craft over the years with spells at Ayr United, Dundee United and a brief spell playing in
Belgium, He is now hitting new heights this season with 27 goals in all competitions
including 3 on the European stage in the conference league. Many are always a bit ignorant
about players from the Scottish Premier league when there are options from players at a
higher level elsewhere, but Shankland could be the long-awaited fix that would strengthen
Scotland even more.
MIDFIELD: STICK OR TWIST?
Scotland’s midfield has a lot of good talent (Image: Getty Images)
Something that has made Scotland the team they are in recent years is the midfield with
consistent starters like McGinn, McGregor, McTominay and Gilmour all having their places
nailed down for crucial games.
This will almost certainly remain the case for McGinn and McTominay with the former
having the best season of his career so far for Aston Villa and the latter probably being the
first name on the team sheet for Steve Clarke after his recent performances for Scotland.
Billy Gilmour struggled for game time when he first made his move to Brighton but has
recently been favoured by Roberto De Zerbi. The competition facing the youngster would be
that of Lewis Ferguson who has been a revelation for Bologna since making his move from
Aberdeen. Ferguson has been a sensation in Italy and has attracted attention from the likes
of Juventus and Napoli with a £25 million price tag being branded above his head.
It gives Steve Clarke a bit of a dilemma as it’s hard to overlook him, but it may be a case of if
it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor has had a few injuries of late but shouldn’t be an issue come
June.
We will get a taste of how things are shaping out for Clarke and co over the upcoming
friendlies, but preparations are looking good with all problems being considered as ‘good’
ones to have. Only time will tell how the team will be looking on that huge day on the 14 th of
June as the world watches Scotland kick off EURO 2024.