It’saboro base for theeuros
Clarke reveals his plans for our firstmajor Finals in 23 years
Scotland will set up camp at Middlesbrough’ s training complex for the duration of the Euros.
Rockliffe Park– which has been used by England in the past – was last night confirmed as the squad’s designated base.
It will allow ease of travel to both the Hampden Park Group D matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia, as well as the trip further south to face England.
Their normal base at
Oriam, the National Performance Centre for Sport in Edinburgh, was selected by the Czechs prior to Scotland’ s qualification via the play-off win on penalties against Serbia.
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The Scottish FA have confirmed t h at th e national team will be based in England during the Euros in June.
Steve C l a r k e ’s squad will be based at Middlesbrough’s training complex in the NorthWest for the duration of their involvement in the tournament.
Scotland will play the Netherlands in Portugal on June 2, and travel to Luxembourg four days later to fulfil their two friendly fixture obligations.
The Dark Blues will then stay on Te e s s i d e t h ro u g h o u t the competition, with Rockliffe Park – which has been used by England in the past – confirmed as the squad’s designated base camp.
The base will allow ease of travelling to both Hampden Park for the Group D matches against the Czech Re p u b l i c ( Monday, June 14, kickoff 2pm), England at Wembley ( Friday, June 18, kick- off 8pm) and Croatia ( Tuesday, June 22, kick-off 8pm).
Their nor mal base at Oriam, the National Performance Centre for Sport in Edinburgh, was selected as designated base camp by th e Czech Republic prior to Scotland’s qualification via the play- off win on penalties against Serbia.
Manager Steve Clarke believes the facilities at Middlesbrough’s training ground and adjacent team hotel, Rockliffe Hall, will optimise the nation’s chances of success at our first major tournament for 23 years.
Clarke said: “The most- important aspect for me is that we give the players the best possible conditions to perform in the tournament.
“That includes the best possible training facilities available, and making sure that travel plans are as efficient as they can be for the matches.
“Rockliffe Park enables us to achieve all of that, while also allowing the players to focus completely on doing the best they can without any distractions.
“Playing the Netherlands and Luxembourg beforehand allows us to prepare with two different styles of opposition.”
To ensure the best possible preparation, Clarke will also take Scotland to La Finca in Spain from May 27 to June 6, which will also incorporate the fixtures in Faro, Portugal, and Luxembourg City.
“For the players, this will have been one of the most intense seasons in their careers,” said Clarke.
“Matches have been played behind closed doors, and an already congested calendar has meant many – not least those whose clubs have enjoyed prolonged spells in European competition – will have played three games a week over many months.
“When the domestic season ends, there will be a mental and physical deficit to overcome in a short period of time.
“That’s why La Finca will be so important, in part due to the unpredictability of the weather in Scotland, but also the close proximity of La Finca to the two matches we are obliged to play.”