Summary

  • Scotland assistant Carver confirms injured defender Tierney is out for remainder of tournament

  • Scotland likely to reach last 16 if they beat Hungary on Sunday

  1. Auf Wiedersehen!published at 13:29 British Summer Time 21 June

    Well, that'll just about do us for today.

    There's plenty of content across the website to keep you enthralled until the game on Sunday night - including the team selector. You can waste five minutes or more pretending to be Steve Clarke on that.

    We'll have more build up for you tomorrow.

    Stay classy, Scotland fans.

  2. You having this?published at 13:25 British Summer Time 21 June

    And now for something a little different from Iain...

    Iain: How about a 4-4-2 formation, as we seem to be the most defensive nation? Have Jack Hendry at right-back with Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna in the centre and Andy Robertson on the left.

    A midfield of Billy Gilmour and John McGinn in centre with Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie on either side. Up front, Tommy Conway and Che Adams or Lawrence Shankland. No one would expect that line up and at least it's an attacking one. I wouldn't like to go out on a defensive note.

  3. Would you change Scotland shape with Tierney's absence?published at 13:19 British Summer Time 21 June

    John Carver was particularly coy about whether Scotland would change shape given the injury to Kieran Tierney, only saying they can be "flexible".

    We asked you what you would do and here's your first answer...

    Michael: I can’t see Steve Clarke changing the back-five now, despite losing Kieran Tierney. This is the system that works for us. What it allows us, though, is the ability to change to a back-four later in the game as we’re not straight-jacketed into having Tierney at LCB.

    If Anthony Ralston is struggling with 60 minutes gone against Hungary, we can put Jack Hendry there and can see more of Lawrence Shankland, and maybe Tommy Conway or Lewis Morgan.

  4. Guten tag!published at 13:13 British Summer Time 21 June

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland somewhere near Frankfurt

    Afternoon from Germany as a batch of the BBC Sport Scotland radio and digital team make their way to Stuttgart.

    We're currently stuck on a train that was meant to go through Frankfurt Airport about half an hour ago, but we are yet to clap eyes on a plane or a duty-free bag.

    How many of you all on here are heading to Stuttgart for Sunday with us?

  5. Power of Scotlandpublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 21 June

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

    John Carver was quite emotional when talking about the impact of the Scotland fans and the power of 'Flower of Scotland' on Wednesday.

    Really lovely moment, that. I think everyone feels the same about the anthem. The rendition before the Swiss game was incredible.

    You hear a million anthems in this business and I've heard Flower of Scotland sung countless times at football and rugby internationals. That was the loudest I've ever heard it.

    Scotland fansImage source, Getty Images
  6. In summary...published at 12:58 British Summer Time 21 June

    Scotland media conference

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Scotland in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

    John Carver was in chipper mood at today's Scotland media conference, despite delivering some disappointing news regarding defender Kieran Tierney.

    The left-back is heading back home to be assessed by Arsenal after sustaining a hamstring injury against Switzerland. If Scotland progress, he could return to support the side.

    Carver also spoke about the national anthem even inspiring him as an Englishman! And he hopes it will be even louder on Sunday.

    He acknowledges Hungary will be a tough test, and is expecting them to be well-organised.

  7. Carver gets emotional talking about Wednesday's anthempublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 21 June

    One last line of John Carver for you - and it's all about the anthem.

    "Even yesterday when we got up, there was still people waiting for us. We went past the station, it was incredible.

    "When you listen to O Flower of Scotland... I'm getting emotional here now - I've been involved in some big games, but when that tune came on, it was the loudest I've ever heard.

    "It brought a lump to my throat. If that can't inspire these guys...

    "We might get beat because the opposition are better than us, but it won't be for want of trying, that's for sure."

  8. Postpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 21 June

    Carver also touches on the bookies backing Austria: "I can see why they've made [Hungary] favourites. They're a very good team. They beat England home and away. For a team to do that, they're a decent team. We need to give them respect."

    The assistant also elaborated on his earlier comments of ensuring Scotland aren't "flat" after a positive performance.

    "Before the Croatia game, we maybe worked them harder than we should have done. We were based in Middlesbrough and spent a lot of time on our feet.

    "We've got a bigger medical staff with us this time round. The recovery and rest is more intense. We feel that's more important than anything else. We can work in the classroom when we need to."

  9. Postpublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 21 June

    Carver was also quick to highlight Hungary's strengths: "Prior to the tournament, they lost one in 15. That tells you everything about them.

    "What jumps off the page is they're a very well organised team, difficult to break down. They have very good individuals. A couple we know from Bournemouth and Liverpool in particular - Robbo [Robertson] and Ryan Christie train every day so we'll tap into those guys."

  10. Postpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 21 June

    Carver also divulges a warm welcome back to the team hotel after the draw with Switzerland on Wednesday:

    "We learnt from the experience the previous time. We went to Wembley, got a goalless draw, the emotions were high. We then went into the Croatia game and we were a bit flat. We've learned from that.

    "We saw the reactions of the fans driving back to the hotel. People in the street were incredible. We got back to the hotel and there was a reception waiting for the players. If that can't inspire you to go through the next step, you shouldn't be involved in football."

  11. 'I'd have snapped your hand off'published at 12:46 British Summer Time 21 June

    Assistant coach Carver also paid tribute to the travelling fans, before adding he'd have 'snapped your hand off' to be in this position going into the Hungary game:

    "Let's not forget the effort we put in the other night, physically and emotionally. It was a good night, a good way to pay people back, in particular the Tartan Army.

    "It was a good performance against extremely good opposition. We're talking about an opposition who've qualified for the last five major tournaments, we knew we were in a difficult group but we're sat with an opportunity to get into the last 16.

    "We've never done it before, because it's hard. We know what's ahead of us. If you'd said to us you still have a chance of qualifying going into the last game, I'd have snapped your hand off."

  12. Postpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 21 June

    John Carver doesn't give away much about Scotland's potential formation against Hungary: "Steve [Clarke] has always talked about being flexible. For a long spell we went with the three and then we changed it before we played Ukraine.

    "We are flexible, we've played two different systems already. I'm not going to give a great deal away to the opposition. It is a possibility. It's only two days after the game, we've had a really light session this morning and we'll have a conversation this afternoon.

    "Then we'll decide on systems, players, who's fit, who's not fit, who's tired. Nobody out there will be tired because everybody wants to play."

  13. Tierney on way home to have injury assessedpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 21 June

    TierneyImage source, Getty Images

    John Carver has given us an update on Kieran Tierney's injury: "He had an issue the other night with his hamstring, and as we speak he’s heading home to be assessed by Arsenal. That’s all I can say at the moment.

    "They’ll give you updates when they have it but he’s obviously extremely disappointed. If we do progress, he’ll be back to support us.

    "He’s a young lad with plenty of time and he’s got to make sure he’s right for his return.

    "It’s a blow because he’s one of our top players and in tournament football you need your best players on the park. Whenever any team loses their best players, it affects the situation. It’s also an opportunity for someone else to step in."

  14. John Carver arrivespublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 21 June

    The assistant manager is talking now!

    Remember, you can watch live at the top of this page.

  15. Listen to Scottish football podcastpublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 21 June

    Jane Lewis finds out how Steve Clarke’s side can beat Hungary and hears from Scotland superfan Dougie Payne of Travis.

    John Walker and Bence Bocsak also fill us in on all we need to know about Sunday's crucial final group match.

    Click here to listen.

    Scottish Football Podcast Promo
  16. 'Why Does It Always Rain on Me?'published at 12:25 British Summer Time 21 June

    Travis bassist Dougie Payne reacts to the Tartan Army adopting their 1999 hit...

    Media caption,

    'It's an honour to see Tartan Army signing our song'

  17. Postpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 21 June

    A reminder that it is Steve Clarke's assistant John Carver who will face the media in - hopefully - a short while.

    We'll bring you everything he has to say on our livestream, before analysing all the minutiae of what he says...

    John CarverImage source, Getty Images
  18. Clarke faces 'biggest dilemma'published at 12:14 British Summer Time 21 June

    Ben: Would you agree that we go four at the back for the Hungary game? This would be more comfortable for Anthony Ralston as he was targeted by Switzerland on Wednesday.

    Tom English: It's a really interesting one, Ben. Steve Clarke went four at the back in the 2-2 draw with Georgia and again in the 3-3 draw with Norway and it didn't look all that steady, albeit Andy Robertson didn't play in either of those games.

    I could see Ralston-Hendry-Hanley/McKenna-Robertson but I could also see Hendry-Hanley-McKenna as a three. A flat four would be more comfortable for Ralston, I'm sure.

    I think that's the biggest dilemma Clarke faces now after the awful loss of Kieran Tierney. On the 'We-Can't-Lose-Him' scale, Tierney has always been at number one, for me. I wish him well.

  19. Hungary will be 'spitting blood' to winpublished at 12:10 British Summer Time 21 June

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at the Stuttgart Arena

    The build-up to the big game on Sunday is very much on.

    For either side to have any hope of a place in the knock-out stages here in Germany, a win is essential.

    So much so that Hungary head coach Marco Rossi wants his side to leave everything on the pitch in Stuttgart.

    "Scotland is a team which has a lot of physical qualities that in some situations could make us suffer," Rossi said.

    "I think what is important to do in the last match is putting on the pitch what our fans are always asking of us. They can accept technical mistakes. They are not stupid.

    "They know what kind of level we have, especially compared to these kinds of opponents. But they want to see that, on the pitch - and sorry for these words - that we're spitting our blood.

    "This is what I ask of the guys. I don't ask them to win. I don't ask them to score goals. I just ask them to put their maximum effort in. Of course, to be able to do this you must be well organised in a tactical aspect.

    "Against Scotland we're expecting another kind of match and we will prepare the right tactics for that. But the most important thing is your maximum effort."

    How about that for a rallying cry? Should be an absolute cracker on Sunday.

  20. Could Styles light up Hungary midfield?published at 12:04 British Summer Time 21 June

    Bocsak also picked out one particular Hungary player to watch out for:

    "There's someone who's not played in this tournament that I'm expecting to come in - Callum Styles. He qualifies through his grandmother and he's a very important player for Hungary.

    "When he's started for Hungary, they've been unbeaten in 14 games. He's suffered a small injury at the start of the tournament that ruled him out for the first two games.

    "It's expected he'll come back for this one. He's a midfielder and he'll be the one who Hungary hope can meet the physical challenges that Scotland impose."

    Callum StylesImage source, Getty Images