Summary

  • Scotland head coach Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson speak at press conference

  • All 26 players took part in Scotland training on Thursday

  • Scotland take on hosts Germany in Friday's Euro 2024 opener (20:00 BST)

  1. Cheeriopublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 13 June

    We'll leave it at that for the day, Julian Nagelsmann saying Germany are "a bit nervous" to face Scotland.

    Okay, that isn't exactly what he meant. But still. Any crumb of optimism etc.

    We'll be back tomorrow with a mammoth live text on one of the biggest days in Scottish football in recent memory.

    Until then, rest up.

  2. 'We are a bit nervous' - Nagelsmannpublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 13 June

    Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann: "I think we’re ready. We’ve used the days well to train well. The boys seem in good form.

    "We are a bit nervous but that’s an important point. We have to have a certain nervousness.

    A big compliment to our team doctor, there were three or four players who arrived injured but they’re fit.

    “Extremely looking forward to tomorrow.”

  3. 'We shouldn't underestimate Scots' - Gundoganpublished at 18:15 British Summer Time 13 June

    Germany and Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been speaking to the media.

    "I expect a difficult game," he says. "I know a lot of players from the Premier League. They are very experienced.

    "I do think they can be tricky but they are also good in terms of how they play. We shouldn't underestimate them, but we also know what we can do.

    "If we get to our potential them I'm confident to say we can win tomorrow."

  4. Revisiting Scotland's seven meetings with Germanypublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 13 June

    Don Hutchison celebrates v GermanyImage source, SNS

    Scotland 0-2 Germany (June 1992)

    In their only previous meeting at a Euros, the Germans ended Scotland's hopes of progression in 1992 with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Karl-Heinz Riedle and a deflected effort from Stefan Effenberg.

    Germany's manager that day? A guy called Berti Vogts.

    Scotland 0-1 Germany (March 1993)

    A friendly at Ibrox decided by another goal from Borussia Dortmund Champions League winner Riedle.

    The match was one of the rare occasions when Scotland wore their salmon pink top with purple pinstripes.

    Germany 0-1 Scotland (April 1999)

    Scotland's first and only win over Germany.

    The winner in the Bremen friendly came from then Everton forward Don Hutchison, who started as a striker after advice from Tommy Burns to Craig Brown.

    Scotland 1-1 Germany 1 (June 2003)

    Vogts was appointed Scotland boss in February 2002 and found himself going up against his home nation in Euro 2004 qualifying.

    After some poor form, Scotland earned an impressive point against the 2002 World Cup runners-up when Kenny Miller cancelled out Fredi Bobic's header.

    Germany 2-1 Scotland 1 (September 2003)

    Ah, Christian Dailly. The Scotland defender could be heard calling the Germans "cheats" - following a seven-letter expletive - during Vogts' post-match TV interview.

    Goals from Bobic and Michael Ballack put the home side in front before Neil McCann hit back for the Scots, who had Maurice Ross sent off for two yellow cards shortly afterwards.

    Germany 2-1 Scotland (September 2014)

    It was a similar story 11 years later. This time,Gordon Strachan's Scotland side lost narrowly to the recently-crowned world champions as Thomas Muller scored a double either side of IIkechi Anya's leveller.

    Charlie Mulgrew was sent off late on for the Scots.

    Scotland 2-3 Germany (September 2015)

    And 12 months on, it was another hard-luck story for Scotland as Muller again netted a double, with Strachan's side equalising twice through a Mats Hummels own goal and James McArthur's strike.

    But Ilkay Gundogan's winner dented the Scots' hopes of reaching Euro 2016.

  5. Postpublished at 18:10 British Summer Time 13 June

    While we wait for a wee flavour of the Germany presser, here's a rundown of Scotland's previous meetings with the Euro 2024 hosts...

  6. Postpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 13 June

    Anyone reading this from Munich?

    If so, hit the thumbs up. And if so, get your phone away and enjoy yourself!

    Kidding, it's lovely to have you.

  7. All a bit much...published at 18:01 British Summer Time 13 June

    Peaked too soon, my man. Peaked too soon.

    Scotland fan having a restImage source, PA Media
  8. 'New rules could be positive change'published at 17:55 British Summer Time 13 June

    Andy RoberstonImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland's Andy Robertson was asked about new rules Uefa are implementing for Euro 2024.

    Captains will be the sole players permitted to engage with the referee and discuss decisions during matches.

    "We had a meeting on that to outline all the rules and we have to respect it," Robertson said. "That's fine for me as long as they give you the chance to discuss the decision and also get back into positions and get set.

    "When players surround the referee it's not the image of the game. I'm sure there will be a couple of teething issues but we're always open to change as long as it can help the game and be positive.

    "We don't want pointless bookings, I've got to be the one that's talking to the referee, but I think it could be positive change for the game."

  9. ⏳ Nearly there...published at 17:50 British Summer Time 13 June

    Scotland fixturesImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Germany could struggle to break Scots down'published at 17:46 British Summer Time 13 June

    Media caption,

    'Germany's Achilles heel is trying to break down teams like Scotland'

  11. 'Vague feeling German football is on up'published at 17:43 British Summer Time 13 June

    Raphael Honigstein
    German football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Germany have a tradition of going into tournaments not being very sure, wondering if we are actually that good or if it's all going to be a disaster.

    German angst is something that comes to the fore when it comes to the national team because performances at recent tournaments have been so poor.

    But I sense a bit of optimism and a vague feeling that German football is on the up.

    People look at the squad and think there isn't really a reason things should go badly.

    At the moment people are waiting, sitting on the fence and hoping the spark will come from the team rather than the other way round.

  12. Postpublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 13 June

    The Germany press conference is set to start in five minutes.

    We'll bring you a flavour of that from Munich when it starts.

  13. 'It's realistic Scotland can get out of group'published at 17:34 British Summer Time 13 June

    Leanne Crichton
    Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The expectation for any Scotland side is always 'can you get out of the group?'. That is something we have never managed to achieve, both men and women.

    I don't think that [expectation] will change. I think what the fans will want to see is that Scotland can go on and compete with Germany.

    Yes, you can look at that as possibly a free hit tomorrow. It's not the most important game in the group for Scotland, by any means, but I think you want to start the tournament strongly.

    You want to look like you are here to compete and that you can match these top performers.

    For me, though, I think it is realistic that Scotland can get out of the group and I do think it will happen.

  14. Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 13 June

    That's all from Andy Robertson.

    "Becoming that legendary squad," jumped out to me there.

    What an incentive for these boys.

  15. 'Becoming legends has to drive us'published at 17:27 British Summer Time 13 June

    Andy RobertsonImage source, Getty Images

    Making history by progressing out of the groups is "what all of us want," Scotland captain Andy Robertson adds.

    "We know that's what's at stake. We've got a lot of incentive to do well but one is becoming that legendary squad, that has to drive us forward.

    "We've got a lot of motivation but that one for me is driving us forward. You never know what can happen in the knockout stages but we have to get there first.

    "We have to be at our best in every game and if we can do that, who knows where we'll be come 23 June."

  16. 'Germany have best midfielder in the world'published at 17:25 British Summer Time 13 June

    Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "It's no secret that Germany will provably dominate possession, they've got the best midfielder in the world in Toni Kroos, but when we have the ball we have to capitalise on it.

    "We have to be composed, we have to be difficult to beat, try and frustrate them as much as we can. If we can do that hopefully it's enough to get a result.

    "We know they'll have a game plan as well and it'll be about who shows up on the night. We hope that we can do it, we believe we can do it but Germany will want to do the same.

    "There's probably a lot of pressure on them to go and win the tournament but it's up to us to try and put the first hurdle in front of them."

  17. Robertson calms fitness fearspublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 13 June

    On how he's feeling heading into the game Scotland captain Andy Robertson adds: "Physically good, mentally good, looking forward to what's ahead. I had an ankle injury from March and I've been nursing it a little bit from then on.

    "It's all good now, we were pretty relaxed about the whole situation but I'm all good to go. Mentally, physically we're all ready and come kick-off we'll be 100%."

    Andy RobertsonImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Klopp text me last week'published at 17:22 British Summer Time 13 June

    On a message from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp last week, Scotland captain Andy Robertson says: "He text me last week when I broke the record [for longest serving captain] but that was it, all he said was congratulations.

    "It'll be interesting to see who he supports tomorrow - there's only one answer for that - but I don't need any advice from him. Hopefully he can enjoy the game but not too much."

  19. 'Dykes is so important off the pitch'published at 17:20 British Summer Time 13 June

    On Lyndon Dykes, who has been ruled out with injury, being with the squad, Scotland captain Andy Robertson says: "It's great to have him here. The day he got his injury was difficult for the whole squad.

    "But now that he's here as a fan, as a staff member probably, it's great. He's very important off the pitch as well because not many could have done that with the emotions he's gone through in the last few weeks.

    "We'd love him to be on the pitch but unfortunately that wasn't possible. He'll be a big factor for us and hopefully he can stay with us the whole time."

  20. 'All eyes on us tomorrow'published at 17:19 British Summer Time 13 June

    Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "When you look at results up and down the board, I think every team will need to step up.

    "You can't recreate competitive football. After we qualified we probably took a little bit of a drop which shouldn't happen but it did.

    "But now we're ready, you get no bigger stage than this. Tomorrow night all eyes will be on us against Germany and it's time to show what we can do.

    "Of course we need to step it up but all nations are in the exact same boat."