Euros can be ideal stage for this Scotland team to shine
QUALIFYING f or Euro 2020 is just the start for t his blossoming generation of Scottish talent. All the ingredients are there for them to attack another piece of history when the finals roll around next summer.
Honestly, as a Dane who will never forget his time in Scotland, I was full of joy last Thursday night. It was an immense performance in Serbia, with much more about it than just the old Scottish traits of passion and fight.
There was real composure, creativity and tactical awareness in how they played under the greatest of pressure.
A love of being the underdog is one thing I’ve always thought was shared between Scotland and Denmark. We like to take on bigger nations with bigger reputations who can too easily write us off. I think there was a little bit of that in Belgrade.
It will be there again in Group D at the finals as Scotland make their return to the elite after 23 years. England, Croatia and the Czech Republic. Exceptionally exciting.
Steve Clarke’s men won’t be anyone’s favourites to progress, but sometimes strange and wonderful things can happen if you have the right blend within a squad. I know that.
My first international tournament was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Denmark winning Euro 92 — utterly unforgettable.
The story of how we had only eight days to prepare after civil war forced the late withdrawal of Yugoslavia still seems incredible almost 30 years on.
Now, I’m not s uggesting Scotland are about to go and win Euro 2020. But you look back at the country’s past. Even with great names at their disposal, real legends of football, they never got past the first round of a major finals. What an enticing target that is for the current group of players.
Already, they are heroes just for qualifying. But within that squad, especially with such an astute manager in Clarke, the idea will take hold that they are not going to this tournament just to make up the numbers.
They are going there to create something special. I think we will see that spirit next summer.
Aspects of it do remind me a bit of Denmark in 1992. We went in unfancied for every game. The other teams were all huge f avourites. But s omething happened inside the squad.
Our manager, Richard Moller Nielsen, was very smart about it. He sowed the idea that we were going over to Sweden to achieve. We were going to win. At first, we all laughed.
But he handled it with wisdom because we started to believe. Privately and quietly at first, but confidence slowly grew. It was about getting a point on the board. Then taking it from there.
The background to Scotland’s place at the Euros is obviously different, but I t hink t hat principle of growing belief will be exactly the same.
They have deservedly qualified. That achievement can’t be taken away from them and they have lifted a weight from their shoulders.
I looked into the average age of the starting line-up against Serbia. It was around 26 — just perfect. There are hungry players there. Talented players. Players who have developed really good experience and who can operate with confidence in different systems.
For each and every one of them, it will be an incredible feeling to represent their country on such a great stage. Everything takes on an extra edge now in terms of their club performances as they look to nail down places in Clarke’s 23-man squad.
In 1992, we didn’t have any of that countdown. I was only 23 at the time and just recovering from a very difficult knee injury that ruined my second season at Bayern Munich. I was trying to get back into some sort of fitness.
I came home from one of those post- season training sessions and my wife was standing there, looking as if she had something important to tell me. She said: ‘I just got a call from the Danish FA. You have to report there tomorrow.’
I was like: ‘ Oh my God, I’m not ready for this.’ At first I was really worried because I feared it could be embarrassing. I didn’t feel fully fit. I phoned up other players. Some were out on the Greek islands enjoying barbecues. We all just laughed at how surreal it was.
After an hour or two, I started to get my head around it and realised what an opportunity it could be. To go and give the best possible account of ourselves. Incredibly, we managed to exceed our own imaginations.
There was something about that squad that people don’t often r ealise. Brondby had become the first fully professional club in Denmark in 1987 and there was a core of players who all came through there. Myself, Peter Schmeichel, John Jensen, Kim Vilfort — who scored in the final — and Lars Olsen, the captain. We knew each other so well.
That sense of camaraderie is important for any international squad. And I see it there in Scotland. You just need to look at the celebrations after the win in Serbia. Outstanding. It didn’t matter whether you played for Motherwell or Manchester United. Everyone was together.
When it’s combined with ability, that spirit can be powerful. And Scotland do have real ability. It’s been fantastic to see Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and John McGinn thrive in the English Premier League over recent years.
They won’t be going just to make up the numbers
Other nations would love to have McGinn and Robertson
Robertson and McGinn, in particular, must be among the very best role models in world football. Seriously. Starting at Queen’s Park and St Mirren respectively, they have shown it doesn’t have to be about coming through the big academy at the big club.
Players can develop at different speeds and go under the radar to some extent before their hard work and talent comes to fruition. Now, numerous c o untri e s across Europe would love to have Robertson and McGinn — Scotland’s captain and vice- captain — in their squads. They are absolutely top level.
Those two are inspirations to Scottish schoolkids but, in truth, the same can now be said about the whole of Clarke’s squad.
You can’t underestimate the importance of qualification when it comes to improving the future of Scottish football.
Things were already on the up at club level, with Rangers doing particularly well in Europe, but achievement by the national side always adds another dimension.
We have seen it in Denmark. Success has led to success in terms of more qualifications. Now it is Scotland’s chance to shine.