The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
All eyes today on Euro 24 selection
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been pondering key issues before naming his provisional squad for Euro 2024 today.
But Clarke will delay some big decisions until June 7 – a week before Scotland kick off the tournament against Germany – when the final 26-man squads have to be registered with UEFA.
The Scotland boss is expected to name a 28-man squad this week before trimming it down. Here are some of the issues Clarke has been contending with.
Goalkeepers
Angus Gunn was firstchoice during the qualifiers, keeping four clean sheets.
Hearts’ Zander Clark deputised for the injured Gunn in November but there could be a decision to make beyond that. Motherwell’s Liam Kelly has turned up throughout and made his debut in a friendly defeat by France in October, but 74-cap Craig Gordon returned to the squad last month after coming back from a double leg break.
Although the 41-year-old has remained second choice behind Clark at
Hearts, he has managed seven appearances. Expect all four goalkeepers to be included – at least until the squad is trimmed.
Centre-backs
Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous look assured of places after featuring regularly during the qualifiers, while Scott McKenna has been back playing regularly on loan with Copenhagen.
Rangers John Souttar was back in the squad in March but picked up an injury in his side’s defeat at Celtic earlier this month.
Norwich defender Grant Hanley has only started six league games this season, mainly due to an Achilles problem, and his fitness could be an issue.
Liam Cooper has had limited game time with Leeds but his experience on and off the park should ensure he is on the plane.
Wing-backs
The left side is fairly straightforward. Captain Andy Robertson will be included and Tierney could end up there at some stage, with Celtic’s Greg Taylor likely to be on the plane to Germany as back-up.
The right is the problem area. Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey have been ruled out by hamstring
injuries, leaving Anthon y
n d
Ralston as the next in line. It was a major blow when The 25-year-old is not first Lewis Ferguson suffered choice for Celtic but has cruciate ligament damage played 20 times this season. towards the end of an
Other options include award-winning season at Bristol City’s Ross Bologna. McCrorie, who can also Stuart Armstrong is a play in midfield or central doubt after a quad injury. defence, and 20-year-old Scott McTominay, Kenny Max Johnston, fresh from McLean, John McGinn, an Austrian league and cup Ryan Christie and Billy double with Sturm Graz. Gilmour are certainties.
Both have been late callups Aberdeen’s Connor in the past year. Barron, 21, is reportedly Motherwell’s Stephen under consideration. A O’Donnell won the last of rejuvenated James Forrest his 26 caps two years ago could find himself in but has European contention, although he Championship experience. has not featured since Euro Chris Cadden of Hibs won 2020. David Turnbull his two caps six years ago drifted out of the picture but has made a lasting and is yet to score for comeback from a serious Cardiff following his Achilles injury. January move.
Under-21 left-back Josh
Doig has squad experience and could potentially feature on the right.
Midfielders Forwards
Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes have been Clarke’s main strikers since the
previous Euros and Hearts’ prolific captain Lawrence Shankland is surely a certainty after netting 32 goals this season, including one for Scotland.
Luton forward Jacob Brown is out with a knee problem, Kevin Nisbet has had a difficult season with Millwall, and Ross Stewart has been plagued by injury since January 2023, although the Southampton striker made his comeback this month.
Under-21 international Tommy Conway hit 12 goals for Bristol City last season and could be a wildcard.
Liverpool and Scotland Under-21 attacker Ben Doak missed the second half of the campaign with a knee injury but could go along for experience – and as a potential surprise package if he gets back to full fitness.