Scotland Euro 2024 squad: Steve Clarke’s key decisions ahead of first announcement | Football News

Steve Clarke will identify his Scotland beginning XI for Euro 2024 on Wednesday – however who will probably be on that aircraft to Germany?

In latest weeks, with accidents to key gamers, the image has change into much less clear.

There are points at right-back, whereas choices must be made in goalkeeper and midfield.

So it was no shock when greater than the allowed 26 gamers had been named – giving Clark time to judge choices within the weeks main as much as the June 7 deadline.

A complete of 29 gamers took half in Scotland’s eight qualifying matches – a “core squad” from that profitable season that Clark stated had been “worthy of being on the Euros” – which means he’ll face some very powerful choices…

defensive dilemma

The largest query mark seems at proper again. Aaron Hickey has not performed for Brentford since October and can miss the sport with a hamstring damage.

Hickey’s possible alternative is Nathan Patterson. The Everton defender can be out after struggling a hamstring damage in final month’s stoppage-time loss to Chelsea.

So who does Clark flip to for assist? The excellent news is he will not be wanting choices.

Anthony Ralston may very well be an possibility – he is been strong on latest groups – however is not the Celtics’ first alternative. Former Aberdeen defender Ross McCrorie is also amongst them, having impressed at Bristol Metropolis and changing the injured Lal final June. Ralston was drafted into the military.

Elsewhere, ex-Motherwell participant Max Johnston received the Austrian title with Sturm Graz this season and got here on in its place in final yr’s pleasant towards France, whereas Liam Palmer has been on the bench for Sheffield United The staff performed 38 video games on Wednesday.

There’s at all times the choice of making an attempt to lure the likes of Newcastle’s Tino Liveramento to Scotland, or he may take into account a back-to-the-future method and deploy Kieran Tierney at right-back fairly than centre-back ?

There’s some excellent news on protection, too. Norwich’s Grant Hanley and Copenhagen’s Scott McKenna exited March coaching camp resulting from accidents however did return to their respective golf equipment earlier than the top of the season.

No matter who Clark chooses at right-back, they’ll attempt to compete for a beginning spot within the World Cup opener towards Germany in June’s two warm-up video games towards Finland and Gibraltar.

Who will play a job within the midfield?

Whereas Serie A star Lewis Ferguson’s hopes have been dashed after rupturing his ACL, there may very well be excellent news for Scotland followers as Stuart Armstrong returns from damage.

Ferguson featured in three qualifiers and two friendlies in March, and whereas he might not have began in Germany, the Bologna captain would have been in Clark’s squad had he not been compelled to endure surgical procedure.

In the meantime, Armstrong was stretchered off in Southampton’s defeat to Cardiff Metropolis final month, nevertheless membership boss Russell Martin stated he had a “good likelihood” of success.

Clark has a wide range of high quality choices on this space.

Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie have featured in all eight European qualifiers – a feat solely ahead Lyndon Dykes has achieved Comparable – it reveals the supervisor will probably be constant together with his method in midfield.

Kenny McLean (7) and Billy Gilmour (5) additionally make common appearances and are anticipated to board the aircraft to Germany.

Nonetheless, may Celtic’s James Forrest get one of many further seats on the aircraft? Though he has not featured for the nationwide staff since 2021, he has had a robust season with the membership, scoring 5 targets in 8 video games, and may present completely different choices in assault, even taking part in a right-back position .

Aberdeen’s Connor Barron can be reportedly set to obtain a shock call-up after impressing for the membership this season.

Can Gordon pull off a surprising return?

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn beat Hearts’ Xander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly to change into Clark’s primary at the beginning of qualifying.

Having pledged his allegiance to Scotland regardless of taking part in for the England U21s, he replaces the injured Craig Gordon, who has been recovering from a damaged leg in December 2022.

Gordon, 41, is again, nevertheless, and is again in Scotland as certainly one of 4 goalkeepers to function in March friendlies.

Solely three persons are anticipated to journey to Germany – so who will miss out?

Kelly performed the primary half of final October’s defeat to France however has stored simply three clear sheets all season within the Scottish Premiership, whereas Motherwell have conceded 59 targets – joint fourth highest. .

In the meantime, Clark has stored 16 clear sheets, a tally second solely to Rangers’ Jack Butland, whereas Hearts have conceded the fewest targets outdoors the established golf equipment.

Gordon was omitted by Clark at membership stage – regardless of taking part in in three league and 4 cup video games – and if Gordon comes on aged 41 he’ll overtake David Weir as Scotland’s oldest worldwide

Clark did stipulate his choice in observe earlier this yr and stated his determination was based mostly on extra than simply recreation time.

“I will consider all the pieces I’ve,” the Scotland coach stated. “There are different components as properly, equivalent to staff stability and gamers who’ve been with the staff for a very long time, so will probably be a troublesome determination.”

Striker shock?

Will there be any surprises on the high of the pitch?

Dykes and Che Adams are nearly sure to make the squad, whereas in a season’s time Laurence Shankland also needs to be on a aircraft to Germany.

The Hearts striker has scored 31 occasions in all competitions and scored as soon as in Scotland’s draw with Georgia.

The likes of Luton City’s Jacob Brown and Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet had been omitted of the ultimate Scotland squad after enduring troublesome seasons at membership stage.

Will Clark keep on with three?

The 18-year-old Liverpool ahead has made six appearances for the Underneath-21s and none for his nation, whereas one other wildcard may very well be Southampton’s Ross Stewart, who options within the play-off first leg towards West Brom Return to the sport.

Scotland’s squad for Euro 2024 will probably be introduced stay on Sky Sports activities Information at 11am on Wednesday.

Scotland Euro 2024 warm-up match

June 3: Gibraltar (n), pleasant match, begins at 5 p.m.

June 7: Finland (h), pleasant match, begins at 7.45pm

Who will Scotland face at Euro 2024?

After last friendlies towards Gibraltar and Finland, Scotland will journey to their Euro 2024 residence base within the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 9.

Clark’s facet will open the World Cup towards hosts Germany on June 14 on the Allianz Enviornment.

Scotland additionally face perennial qualifiers Switzerland and Hungary, who reached the knockout levels in 2016.

Scotland have a historical past of kicking off World Cups, having been drawn to face Brazil within the 1998 World Cup opener, a recreation they narrowly misplaced 2-1 because of a second-half personal objective from Tom Boyd.

This time they begin on the Allianz Enviornment earlier than dealing with Switzerland in Cologne on June 19 and Hungary in Stuttgart on June 23.

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