Scotland meet Spain & Norway in race for Euro 2024

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John McGinn celebrates scoring for Scotland at HampdenImage source, SNS Group
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Scotland were among the pot two teams for the draw in Frankfurt

Scotland go into a tough-looking Euro 2024 qualifying campaign against Spain and Norway with "no fear", insists head coach Steve Clarke.

Georgia and Cyprus are the other teams in Group A, with the top two qualifying directly for the finals in Germany.

If Scotland miss out, they are guaranteed a play-off place after topping their Nations League section.

"We certainly have a lot of respect for our opponents but no fear," Clarke told BBC Sport at the draw in Frankfurt.

His side will start their qualifying campaign at home to Cyprus on 25 March and conclude with Norway visiting Hampden Park on 19 November.

Scotland have lost just twice in their last 15 outings and were among the pot two nations.

"It's going to be competitive," Clarke added. "Hopefully the other teams are looking at Scotland thinking 'this is a tough group'. "We feel we're improving, we feel we're on the up.

"There were a lot of difficult teams in pot three and Norway were ones that jumped out.

"There are no easy international games for Scotland, we always have to play to our best to get the points and that's what we'll try and do.

"We've got the play-offs as a back-up but that's something we're not really thinking about."

Spain, ranked seventh in the world, have been European champions on three occasions; in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is Norway's star man. The 22-year-old has 21 goals from 23 internationals and has started this season with an incredible 20 goals from 13 games for City. Martin Odegaard of Arsenal is the captain.

Georgia's biggest threat will be Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has found the net eight times in 13 appearances for club and country this term.

Scotland have lost both previous Euro qualifying visits to Georgia, in 2015 and 2007.

They met Cyprus in Euro 2020 qualifying, winning 2-1 at home and away on the way to finishing third behind Russia and Belgium. Clarke's team then went on to reach the delayed tournament via the play-offs, ending a 23-year wait to play at a major finals.

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