EURO 2024 preview: Scotland seeks to restore form

Three years ago, after more than two decades, Scotland finally returned to a major tournament, doing so in the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the renowned Tartan Army is set to head to Germany for EURO 2024, where they previously celebrated their first tournament win back in 1974.

Despite only securing one win in their last nine games (against Gibraltar), Scotland is experiencing its most consistent period in this millennium. They have directly qualified for a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup. This follows a bounce-back from a disappointing World Cup play-off defeat against Ukraine in 2022, by qualifying for the elite group of the UEFA Nations League.

The squad boasts stability, with the final 26-man roster featuring 13 players who have at least 30 international starts. This period marks a significant improvement for Scottish football, which had been struggling in recent years. Their home qualifying victory over Spain last year, secured with a clean sheet, will be remembered for years to come.

Scotland’s Recent Form

Scottish club football has also seen notable successes. Rangers reached the Europa League final immediately after the last European Championship, while Celtic has supplied two managers to ambitious Premier League clubs. John McGinn led Aston Villa to the Champions League this season as captain, and Andy Robertson, a Champions League winner, holds the Premier League record for assists by a defender.

Aberdeen’s ‘AberDNA’ initiative, backed by Sir Alex Ferguson, has engaged over 6,000 fans since 2018 and led the club to dominate national junior and senior competitions. This season, 16-year-old Fletcher Boyd has made a notable impact in the Scottish Premiership.

Road to the Finals

The Tartan Army started their qualifying campaign strongly, winning their first five matches, including their first victory over Spain in nearly 40 years. The last time Scotland managed such a streak within one international campaign was in 1995. In the final standings, they scored in every qualifying match except one, in Seville, where a controversial VAR decision nullified Scott McTominay’s direct free-kick.

This prolific scoring record saw Scotland achieve their second-best European qualifying cycle after Euro 2016, averaging 2.1 goals per game. Despite only McTominay and McGinn scoring more than once, the team’s overall performance was strong.

Scotland recently experienced a seven-game winless streak, their longest since 1998. However, they remain one of the most successful sides in recent history.

Steve Clarke: The Man in Charge

Steve Clarke has been pivotal to Scotland’s recent success. During the last European Championships, Clarke set a record for the most wins in a single calendar year for Scotland (8). Now the fourth-longest-serving Tartan Army manager, he is also the first to lead Scotland to two consecutive editions of a major tournament.

Steve Clarke becomes the first Scotland manager to beat Spain since Jock Stein in 1984.

He also has the highest win percentage of any Scotland manager to have managed 30+ games. ????????#SCOESP pic.twitter.com/aURiay21Uk
— The Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) March 28, 2023

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Clarke’s tenure has been marked by his commitment to an experienced core group of players, despite calls for fresh blood. This loyalty has paid off, with key players like McGinn flourishing under his guidance.

Scott McTominay: A Key Figure

Scott McTominay has become a crucial player for Scotland, known for his consistent performances. In 2023, he set a record with seven goals in a calendar year for Scotland. While some fans see him as a key leader, others worry about his limitations affecting the team’s success. McTominay has been hampered by health issues recently, missing the last two matches due to injury.

Lawrence Shankland: One to Watch

If Scotland is to find a true goal-scoring striker for EURO 2024, Lawrence Shankland might be the best bet. At 28, Shankland has a remarkable career trajectory, scoring over 20 goals in various tiers and winning the Golden Boot in the top flight. His recent performances have drawn attention from top Scottish clubs, and a strong showing at the Euros could propel him to a significant transfer.