Scotland Men's Football Team

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Lewis Ferguson says he is "in a better place now" after the initial disappointment of picking up a serious knee injury that ruled him out of Bologna's Serie A run-in and Scotland's Euro 2024 finals campaign.

"It's been difficult of course," the 24-year-old midfielder told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "There's been ups and downs, but I'm positive. I'm happy with the way I'm progressing.

"I'm beginning to feel more and more like myself again physically. I'm looking forward to being outside again - that's the next stage, getting outside and on to the grass."

Ferguson admits that keeping himself positive mentally is "half the battle".

"Initially, it is tough physically - you can't move much and do the things you normally do," he said.

"Then, mentally, it is difficult too. There is never a good time to suffer an injury like this, but I just felt the timing was really bad with the Euros just round the corner.

"That was my thoughts as soon as I got the results back from my scan. When the doctors were explaining my results, it was my first question before they even told me I had done my ACL. But I am in a much better place now."

Ferguson still expects not to play again until close to the end of this year, meaning he will miss the start of Scotland's Nations League campaign.

"It depends on the body and how it reacts," he added. "They said it was going to be at least six months from surgery and I think that will be late October-November time, so if everything goes to plan, I'll be back by the end of the year.

"But I don't want to put pressure on myself."

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Lewis Ferguson was disappointed to see his Scotland team-mates fail to do themselves justice at Euro 2024 but backs them to "bounce back" when the Nations League starts in September.

The Bologna midfielder, 24, missed out on Steve Clarke's squad for the finals in Germany after picking up a serious knee injury in April.

"It was difficult having being part of the squad all through qualification," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "We started qualification really well and built up some great momentum and were playing some really good stuff.

"Then, watching the Euros, it was disappointing obviously from being a fan. And, when you see your team-mates struggling, you just want to help and obviously I wasn't able to do that."

Scotland opened the group stage at the finals with a 5-1 thrashing by the hosts and Ferguson said: "I don't think anyone expected us to get anything out of the first game, but we still didn't show what we're capable of and that was disappointing.

"But I think the Switzerland game [1-1 draw] was a massive improvement. Drawing with them was not a bad result considering how good they have been and they are into the latter stages of the competition.

"I think it was the last game [losing 1-0 to Hungary] that was the most disappointing because I felt confident in the build-up to that; I'm thinking, if we win, we're through, and thinking we have a better squad than Hungary, better players, better individuals and I would like to think we were better as a team.

"Obviously it never worked out quite like that. They've received a bit of criticism and it'll take a bit of time to get over, but I know them and the staff and they'll be ready to bounce back."

Heart of Midlothian head coach Steven Naismith, who is assistant to Steve Clarke with Scotland, says quitting as national team boss would not have entered the 60-year-old's mind despite the failure to qualify from their Euro 2024 group as he has a long-term plan. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Scott Brown hopes Steve Clarke will remain as Scotland head coach, insisting he has done a "fantastic job" since taking the reins.

Despite the disappointing group-stage exit from Euro 2024, the former Scotland midfielder backed Clarke - who is under contract for two more years - to stay in position and stressed he must do whatever it takes to be "the best we can".

Clarke has guided the national team to back-to-back Euros, something Brown wishes he could have experienced as a player.

"I can't say anything, I've never got to a Euros, so the lads did extremely well getting there and Steve's done a fantastic job over the last couple of campaigns getting there," the Celtic legend and current Ayr United manager said.

"It was an extremely hard start having the hosts [Germany] and the way they're playing as well, they just hit forward at the right time, so it was always going to be hard after that game.

"That next level is very, very hard to get to.

"I hope he does [still have the appetite for the job] because it was a long time since France 98 and Steve's managed to do it a couple of times on the bounce.

"We are a small country, but we'll have to be ambitious, we have to try and fight.

"We have to be the best we possibly can be and if that means Steve nicking a few other players from somewhere else then by all means do that."

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The Scottish FA has been fined €3,375 (£2,865) for the "throwing of objects" by Scotland fans during the 1-1 draw with Switzerland at Euro 2024.

It comes after a fine of €5,625 (£4,753) for the same offence in the 5-1 defeat by Germany which opened the tournament.

Switzerland were also sanctioned to the tune of €24,250 (£20,580) by Uefa for fans throwing objects during the Scotland game.

And Hungary were fined a total of €55,000 (£46,684) for the throwing of objects and "transmitting a message not fit for a sports event" during their win over Scotland in the final group match.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke's position is not under threat following the early Euro 2024 exit, with the Scottish FA expected to stick with the 60-year-old. (Sun), external

Birmingham City, Huddersfield and Plymouth Argyle are interested in Brighton's Scotland Under-21 midfielder Marc Leonard, 22. (Football Insider), external

Oli McBurnie, 28, is a free agent after his contract at Sheffield United ended and the Scotland international's chances of staying at Bramall Lane seemingly rest on an ongoing takeover bid of the club. (The Star), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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One of the key debates among fans and pundits during Scotland's disappointing Euro 2024 campaign was who should be leading the line for Steve Clarke's side.

Lawrence Shankland scored 31 goals in all competitions for Hearts last season, but was not picked to start any of Scotland's three group games, with Che Adams selected as the lone striker.

For a long time now, questions have been asked as to whether the Hearts captain can carry his domestic form onto the international stage and whether he has the pace to stretch defences.

Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller thinks Shankland undoubtedly has the required ability.

"For me, Lawrence Shankland is the best all-round striker we've got," Miller told Sportsound.

"If you get the ball into him, he'll hold it up better than the others. We need someone capable of getting hold of the ball."

On the other hand, former Scotland midfielder John Collins says Scotland's system and their non-use of wingers doesn't suit Shankland's style of play.

"The reason he hasn't played is because he hasn't got the legs and the mobility," Collins said. "He's successful in Scottish football because he's getting the ball in and around the box; we're a team that were never in the box.

If Shankland was a yard quicker, Collins believes he would be worth £30m, such are his other strengths.

"He can't run away from somebody and race away from a centre-half; he's a finisher," Collins added.

"The reason he's not been bought for lots of money is because every scout watching him can see that. A guy that's scored 31 goals, otherwise you'd want £30m."

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Switzerland were the first side through to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after they beat holders Italy 2-0.

The Swiss, who drew 1-1 with Scotland in Group A, scored either side of half-time through Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas.

England face Slovakia on Sunday (17:00 BST) for the right to face Switzerland in the last eight.

The only other team to progress from Group A, tournament hosts Germany, beat Denmark 2-0 with Kai Havertz scoring a penalty and Jamal Musiala netting the second.

The unbeaten Germans opened the tournament with a 5-1 win against Scotland and will face Georgia or Spain next.

Read: Switzerland 2-0 Italy - match report

Read: Germany 2-0 Denmark - match report

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Former Scotland striker Billy Dodds "wouldn't be surprised" if Steve Clarke quit as head coach after the national team's underwhelming Euro 2024 showing.

Clarke's side were unable to become the first Scotland side to progress from a major tournament group stage, bowing out with one point after drawing with Switzerland either side of defeats by Germany and Hungary.

The 60-year-old, who is under contract until 2026, has since come in for criticism and his tactics heavily scrutinised after Scotland mustered just 17 shots across the three games.

"I wouldn’t be surprised – knowing how strong minded he was at Chelsea – if he walked. That’s the type he is," Dodds, a former Stamford Bridge team-mate of Clarke, told BBC Scotland Sportsound.

He added: "If he gets stick and all that, he’s the type to go, ‘I don’t need this any more.’

"If we walked, I’m not saying he will, it wouldn’t surprise me.

"Do I think he’s the man to take Scotland forward? I think he deserves another shot to get us there.

"I think he’ll have learned from Euro 2024. And I think he should learn to have a wee bit more of a go when he gets to tournaments. I wish we'd had a bit more of a go."

Ex-striker Kenny Miller is convinced Clarke, who has guided Scotland to consecutive European Championships, will still be at the helm for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but says he has to make the team more attack minded on the biggest stage.

"He's going to the manager for the World Cup campaign, there's no getting away from that," said Miller.

"When we get to this stage, we need more. There needs to be a better solution to how we can become that attacking threat.

"Sometimes you need to evolve a bit and find a different string to your bow. We need more, all around."

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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You don't need numbers to tell you Scotland were rotten at the Euros. We all saw it.

But a dig into the statistics can help to show where it all went wrong for Steve Clarke's side in Germany.

The main - and very apparent issue - was Scotland's lack of cutting edge in all three encounters in the tournament.

Their 17 shots are the joint fewest since groups were introduced at the Euros in 1990, a paltry total matched only by Northern Ireland in 2016, who advanced to the knockouts that year with three points.

Registering an xG of 0.95 is another low in this year's tournament, as is a passing accuracy of just 57.9% in the final third. When Scotland did make a rare foray forward the absence of quality was glaring.

Where else scuppered Scots?

As some teams in this tournament have shown, a goal-shy side can still progress out of the groups if there's a steely defence at the back.

After the mauling in Munich by hosts Germany, the backline improved against Switzerland and Hungary... but they could hardly have played worse.

Scotland conceded an xG of 4.5 in their three outings, though had to pick the ball out the back of the net on seven occasions.

Despite keeping his side in the tournament at points in the Hungary decider, Angus Gunn's differential between goals conceded and the xG of the shots on target he faced of 1.52 is the worst of any goalkeeper in the tournament. Simply put, he should have kept more out.

Clarke drew the ire of some fans for a perceived hesitance to make subs. He used 18 players - the second fewest players of any coach at the tournament - while naming the fifth-oldest team based on the average age across the three starting line-ups.

Could Scotland have lived a different story with a bit more youth and energy?

Is there a silver lining?

Beyond the immense display of the wonderful Tartan Army, the positives to take from our German jaunt are scarce.

However, the numbers show that Jack Hendry wasn't scared to get stuck in against some high-quality opposition.

The 29-year-old was in the top 20 players for duels at the tournament, coming in at joint third for duels attempted with 23. Hendry won 69.6% of those, ranking at 18th.

Higher up the park, only Georgia's Giorgi Kochorashvili accrued more pressures applied than Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, who ran himself ragged off the back of an injury lay-off.

He may have applied pressure on the pitch, but Scotland's dismal showings this summer means there's now increased pressure off it for Clarke and his players.

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Former Scotland captain Charlie Mulgrew doubts whether Steve Clarke will change the national team's style of play despite a dismal Euro 2024 campaign.

Clarke's side exited at the group stage with just one point and three shots on target - a competition low.

But Mulgrew, who racked up 44 caps for Scotland, believes there is still gratitude to be shown after reaching the major tournament.

“I think firstly we need to be thankful for Steve Clarke and the players and everybody involved with Scotland for getting us to two tournaments," he said.

"We’ve not been there in 25 years and we’ve been in the last two Euros, which is brilliant. So we can’t lose sight of that.

“But then once you get there, naturally you want to compete and we’ve not competed. That’s the most disappointing thing."

However, Mulgrew doesn't anticipate a radical overhaul in the Scots' approach as they look to bounce back with a successful Nations League campaign and, latterly, World Cup qualification.

“I feel like we’re trying not to lose rather than trying to win, which is not the way I see the game," Mulgrew said.

"I suppose that’s Steve Clarke style, but I’m sure he’ll admit he’s still disappointed with how it went.

“As a coach, you can’t teach what you don’t believe. So if he doesn’t believe in that style, then you can’t change.

“Steve Clarke’s been successful doing it his way so who am I to say it should change?”

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Midfielder John McGinn says the "hurt and disappointment" of Scotland’s Euro 2024 exit is still raw as he urged improvement from the squad and management.

The 29-year-old insists Steve Clarke's men will give everything they can to be at the World Cup in two years after their meek Euros showing in Germany.

Scotland bowed out bottom of Group A with one point after defeats by Germany and Hungary either side of a draw with Switzerland.

"The hurt and disappointment is still raw and this feeling will take a while to shift," McGinn said on Instagram, external.

"This group of players and staff have come a long way in the past few years, hopefully delivering memories that will last a lifetime. To go one step further, we know we all need to improve.

"Thank you for the support both in Germany and back home in Scotland. The thousands who travelled to Germany (with or without a ticket), represented Scotland in the best possible way and it fills us all with pride.

"Representing your country at a major tournament, with the support of those closest to you, is a feeling that can’t quite be described. But it’s certainly one that I want to repeat…

"We will give everything we can to be at the World Cup in 2026."

Scotland fans, we asked for your thoughts on Steve Clarke as the national team's manager after the disappointing group-stage exit at Euro 2024.

It's fair to say opinion was split on whether Clarke is the right man to take Scotland forward.

First, here is what some of his backers said...

Robin: He is the right person. He now has experience of managing an international side, and qualified for two final stage tournaments. What is missing is players good enough to play at that level.

Stephen: To be honest I didn't think we would win any of the games, maybe a draw against Hungary. I think Clarke has been very good and had moved away from his defensive, build into the game approach. But he has no option to really change. We have the Scott McTominay syndrome of Man Utd: he is our top scorer. Say no more. I vote to support him.

Andrew: He has turned the team around from where they were when he took the job. He has taken us to consecutive Euro championships, we lost key players leading up to the tournament which was a blow We don’t have a large pool of talent to pick from, so we did as best as we could with the players we have. We shouldn’t be questioning whether Clarke is the right man to take us to the next level, instead we should be asking if he wants to continue trying to take us to the next level.

Ryan: The amount of criticism Clarke is getting is ridiculous. Yes, we could have done much better at the Euros and we never really showcased our full ability. I don’t think our past two knockout stages should eradicate the brilliant job Clarke has done to rebuild this team. Have faith and show support. I guarantee he will get us to another major tournament in his time as manager.

Del: Clarke should be supported for the next five to eight years

Anon: Yes, of course Clarke should remain in charge. There were factors outside of his control this time round like the pre-tournament injuries. The players also have to take responsibility as well.

'Thanks for his efforts but we need to move on'

And now for those who would like to see someone new at the helm...

Charlie: Clarke has done a good job to get us to where we are but it's time for a change. Either David Moyes or Derek McInnes would be the ideal candidates.

Marco: Time for Clarke to go as its clear that he is picking players who are his pals, regardless if they put in a bad performance or not he still stands by them and picks them no matter what.

Anon: Clarke's football is too negative, he is being found out now. Time for a new attack-minded coach. Thanks for his efforts but now we need to move on.

Calum: I've always been a big Clarke defender and he deserves a lot of credit for taking us to two Euros, but we haven't progressed and looked really short on belief in two of the three games (like Euro 2020). He has taken us as far as he can and we need a fresh start now. I'd ask Moyes.

John: Respect to Clarke for getting us to the Euros but I think it's time for a change. We have a decent nucleus of players but what was glaringly obvious last week and probably since qualifying is a few injuries and the whole structure falls apart.

Matthew: Clarke is too negative to take Scotland any further than he has. He did a fantastic job to get us to the Euros with games to spare, but he has reached his limit. The current narrative that we lack the quality is just not true - other countries with arguably less talented squads are at least giving it a go at the Euros and not playing with zero strikers or urgency.

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The pain of an early Euros exit will be sore enough for Scotland, but the tag of being the tournament's "most boring team" will only rub salt into the wounds.

Steve Clarke's side scored just two goals, both of which were finished by opposition players, and matched the record for fewest shots in the competition's group stage.

They are also the only team at the current finals who have failed to register a first-half shot - something they did on two occasions.

Those grim statistics have raised questions on whether Clarke has what it takes to get the maximum out of the players at his disposal.

The Scotland head coach has deservedly received praise for taking the nation to back-to-back European Championships, but a second straight disappointment in the groups has some fans asking: 'Can Clarke take us any further?'.

"I have my doubts about that," The Athletic's Jordan Campbell says on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Clarke's had such a long period of time there [to get the team] ready for a major tournament where we know we're going to have to be better on the ball and be able to break teams down.

"I don't see any evidence he's going to be the guy that can do that. And that's not a slight against him, he's a good manager at what he does, but I think for this team, there is more ability than what we showed in the last two weeks.

"You look at other teams like Albania, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia. They've all had a moment or a game in this tournament where they've really shown themselves and they've shown their identity.

"What do people come away thinking about Scotland? I don't really think they come away remembering anything about our style of football, apart from that we're probably, sadly, the most boring team to watch in the tournament."

What do you think? Is Clarke still the right man to lead Scotland forward?

Let us know your thoughts here., external