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

Steve Clarke will name his Scotland starting XI for Euro 2024 on Wednesday – but who will be on that plane to Germany?

In recent weeks, with injuries to key players, the picture has become less clear.

There are issues at right-back, while decisions need to be made in goalkeeper and midfield.

So it was no surprise when more than the allowed 26 players were named – giving Clark time to evaluate options in the weeks leading up to the June 7 deadline.

A total of 29 players took part in Scotland’s eight qualifying matches – a “core squad” from that successful season that Clark said were “worthy of being at the Euros” – meaning he will face some very tough decisions…

defensive dilemma

The biggest question mark appears at right back. Aaron Hickey has not played for Brentford since October and will miss the game with a hamstring injury.

Hickey’s likely replacement is Nathan Patterson. The Everton defender is also out after suffering a hamstring injury in last month’s stoppage-time loss to Chelsea.

So who does Clark turn to for help? The good news is he won’t be short of options.

Anthony Ralston could be an option – he’s been solid on recent teams – but isn’t the Celtics’ first choice. Former Aberdeen defender Ross McCrorie could also be among them, having impressed at Bristol City and replacing the injured Lal last June. Ralston was drafted into the army.

Elsewhere, ex-Motherwell player Max Johnston won the Austrian title with Sturm Graz this season and came on as a substitute in last year’s friendly against France, while Liam Palmer has been on the bench for Sheffield United The team played 38 games on Wednesday.

There’s always the option of trying to lure the likes of Newcastle’s Tino Liveramento to Scotland, or he could consider a back-to-the-future approach and deploy Kieran Tierney at right-back rather than centre-back ?

There’s some good news on defense, too. Norwich’s Grant Hanley and Copenhagen’s Scott McKenna exited March training camp due to injuries but did return to their respective clubs before the end of the season.

Regardless of who Clark chooses at right-back, they will try to compete for a starting spot in the World Cup opener against Germany in June’s two warm-up games against Finland and Gibraltar.

Who will play a role in the midfield?

While Serie A star Lewis Ferguson’s hopes have been dashed after rupturing his ACL, there could be good news for Scotland fans as Stuart Armstrong returns from injury.

Ferguson featured in three qualifiers and two friendlies in March, and while he may not have started in Germany, the Bologna captain would have been in Clark’s squad had he not been forced to undergo surgery.

Meanwhile, Armstrong was stretchered off in Southampton’s defeat to Cardiff City last month, however club boss Russell Martin said he had a “good chance” of success.

Clark has a variety of quality options in this area.

Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie have featured in all eight European qualifiers – a feat only forward Lyndon Dykes has achieved Comparable – it shows the manager will be consistent with his approach in midfield.

Kenny McLean (7) and Billy Gilmour (5) also make regular appearances and are expected to board the plane to Germany.

However, could Celtic’s James Forrest get one of the extra seats on the plane? Although he has not featured for the national team since 2021, he has had a strong season with the club, scoring 5 goals in 8 games, and can provide different options in attack, even playing a right-back role .

Aberdeen’s Connor Barron is also reportedly set to receive a surprise call-up after impressing for the club this season.

Can Gordon pull off a stunning return?

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn beat Hearts’ Xander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly to become Clark’s number one at the start of qualifying.

Having pledged his allegiance to Scotland despite playing for the England U21s, he replaces the injured Craig Gordon, who has been recovering from a broken leg in December 2022.

Gordon, 41, is back, however, and is back in Scotland as one of four goalkeepers to feature in March friendlies.

Only three people are expected to travel to Germany – so who will miss out?

Kelly played the first half of last October’s defeat to France but has kept just three clean sheets all season in the Scottish Premiership, while Motherwell have conceded 59 goals – joint fourth highest. .

Meanwhile, Clark has kept 16 clean sheets, a tally second only to Rangers’ Jack Butland, while Hearts have conceded the fewest goals outside the established clubs.

Gordon was left out by Clark at club level – despite playing in three league and four cup games – and if Gordon comes on aged 41 he will overtake David Weir as Scotland’s oldest international

Clark did stipulate his selection in practice earlier this year and said his decision was based on more than just game time.

“I’ll evaluate everything I have,” the Scotland coach said. “There are other factors as well, such as team stability and players who have been with the team for a long time, so it will be a difficult decision.”

Striker surprise?

Will there be any surprises at the top of the pitch?

Dykes and Che Adams are almost certain to make the squad, while in a season’s time Laurence Shankland should also be on a plane to Germany.

The Hearts striker has scored 31 times in all competitions and scored once in Scotland’s draw with Georgia.

The likes of Luton Town’s Jacob Brown and Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet were left out of the final Scotland squad after enduring difficult seasons at club level.

Will Clark stick with three?

The 18-year-old Liverpool forward has made six appearances for the Under-21s and none for his country, while another wildcard could be Southampton’s Ross Stewart, who features in the play-off first leg against West Brom Return to the game.

Scotland’s squad for Euro 2024 will be announced live on Sky Sports News at 11am on Wednesday.

Scotland Euro 2024 warm-up match

June 3: Gibraltar (n), friendly match, starts at 5 p.m.

June 7: Finland (h), friendly match, starts at 7.45pm

Who will Scotland face at Euro 2024?

After final friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland, Scotland will travel to their Euro 2024 home base in the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 9.

Clark’s side will open the World Cup against hosts Germany on June 14 at the Allianz Arena.

Scotland also face perennial qualifiers Switzerland and Hungary, who reached the knockout stages in 2016.

Scotland have a history of kicking off World Cups, having been drawn to face Brazil in the 1998 World Cup opener, a game they narrowly lost 2-1 thanks to a second-half own goal from Tom Boyd.

This time they start at the Allianz Arena before facing Switzerland in Cologne on June 19 and Hungary in Stuttgart on June 23.

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