Future uncertain for six Scotland Euro hopefuls
◆ Half a dozen players hoping to earn a call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad for the finals in Germany are also out of contract with their clubs this summer
Euro 2024 is on the horizon and the time is fast approaching for Steve Clarke to hand out his golden tickets.
While the Scotland head coach has a big call to make over which 26 players make the cut, six of his squad hopefuls are also facing major decisions over where their futures lie beyond the summer. Liam Kelly, Liam Cooper, Scott Mckenna, Ryan Jack, Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams all become free agents when their contracts expire at the end of theseasonandfacegoingtothe tournament – if selected – with their situations unresolved.
Whatcouldthesummerhave in store for each of those players for both club and country?
Ryan Jack (Rangers) Midfielder Ryan Jack has been a squad regular under Steve Clarke throughout his five-year tenure, and at times, a valued contributer on the field.
More recently, however, Jack has become a bit-part figure, both for Rangers and Scotland due to ongoing struggles with fitness and recurring calf problems. Jack has not started a Scotland matchin14months and failed to make the most recent squad in March due to his latest injury setback. He hasn't featured for Rangers since February although manager Philippe Clement said last week that the 32-year-old is nearing a return.
If Jack can prove his fitness in his four remaining club matches – which include two high-octane Old Firm derbies in this weekend’s Premiership title showdown and the Scottish Cup final on May 15 – then Clarkewouldbelikelytocallup a player who has served him well in the past. But whether that will be enough for Jack to earn a new Rangers deal remains to be seen.
Liam Kelly (Motherwell) Goalkeeper Liam Kelly has been with Motherwell since 2021 but manager Stuart Kettlewell has admitted it will be difficult to keep hold of him beyond the summer.
Kelly has been involved in virtually every Scotland squad since 2021 mostly as an unused substitute in his role as thirdchoice goalkeeper. He was rewarded for his perseverance with a first cap in the 4-0 defeat to France last year and it would be a surprise if he was not on the plane to Germany.
Hisperformances at Fir Park – backed up by his international credentials – will likely see him move on to pastures new with a return to England, where he previously had a spell with Queens Park Rangers, a possibility. With Celtic in the market for a goalkeeper to replace the retiring Joe Hart this summercouldkellyfeatureonalist of targets? They could do a lot worse.
Liam Cooper (Leeds)
Liam Cooper has captained Leeds for much of the past decade but his Elland Road future is up in the air as his current deal ticks down. The 32-yearold has only made one substitute appearance since January andnonewdealhasbeenforthcomingasyet.hislackofrecent first-team action could jeopardise his Scotland Euro 2024 place, but with 18 caps behind him, his experience could be too vital for Clarke to ignore when it comes to selecting his defence. Celtic and Rangers may be keeping an eye on developments,withaleft-sided centre-back a possible priority position for both this summer.
Scott Mckenna (Nottingham Forest) Which leads us to Scott Mckenna, currently on loan at FC Copenhagen from Nottingham Forest, and soon to become a free agent. Both Celtic and Rangers were linked with the 27-year-old in January so it would be no surprise to see the ex-aberdeendefenderpitchup in Glasgow after the Euros.
Mckenna missed the March internationalsbutstartedscotland's previous four matches and would be expected to be in the squad for Germany. He will be all the better for his experienceindenmark–which included appearances in the Champions League knock-out stages and may even be considered among the favourites to start the tournament opener against the hosts on June 14.
Che Adams (Southampton) Both Celtic and Rangers will also be in the market for a proven goalscorer this summer, who comes within an attainable price range.
It is not often that a £15 million-rated striker becomes available on a free transfer but Southampton's Che Adams is onesuchplayer.however,with Wolves, Everton and Nottinghamforestallreportedlyinterested in signing the 27-yearold ahead of next season, he is much more likely to still be playing his football in England nextseason.adamsisacertainty for Euro 2024, and may even have played his way into a starting position after a blistering second half of the season in the Championship, where he took his goal tally for the campaign from three to 18, with the promotion play-offs still to come. Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) Adam’s team-mate Stuart Armstrong is another who could be set to leave in the summer. His season was ended prematurely by injury although he remains hopeful of returning in time for the Euros where he will look to add to the 50th cap won against Northern Ireland in March.
Armstrong joined Saints in the summer of 2018 from Celtic in a deal worth £7m. Could a return to Celtic be on the cards where he previously played underbrendanrodgersduring the Northern Irishman’s first spell in charge? Time will tell.
It would be no surprise to see Scott Mckenna pitch up in Glasgow after the Euros