Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says he is "trying to underplay" the significance of Sunday's Euro 2024 group game against Hungary.

The Scots go into the match in Stuttgart knowing a win will most likely take them into the last 16 of the competition.

Never before have a Scotland team reached the knockout stage of a major finals.

Clarke suggested there was "a little bit too much" noise from his camp prior to the Euros opener with Germany, which ended in a 5-1 defeat.

On this occasion, the Scotland boss is aiming to keep a lid on the build-up to what is arguably the nation's biggest game in a generation.

"Everybody knows how big it is," Clarke said. "You can talk and talk and talk about it. We probably did a little bit too much with the first game.

"So we're trying to underplay this one, if you ever can with a game of this magnitude, but we're trying to make sure we're well prepared and ready to go.

"Nothing except three points for us is what we're thinking. We need to get three points to at least finish third in the group and we'll see where that takes us."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland at Stuttgart Arena

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Head coach Steve Clarke was speaking to the media prior to Scotland's final Euro 2024 group game against Hungary on Sunday.

Here's the best of it:

• Clarke says Scotland face a similar situation to what they did three years ago in their last Euros campaign and is hopeful they've learned their lessons.

• He believes two similar line-ups and teams will face one another on Sunday but hopes Scotland's system is slightly better.

• Clarke adds that the mental side of the game is "massive" and that's what let Scotland down in first game.

• "If Scotland do what they're good at they've got a chance," he says.

• The head coach adds that Scotland are trying to "underplay" the game to take the pressure off.

• Clarke says it doesn't matter if he is the first manager to get Scotland out of a group, all focus is on the three points.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland at Stuttgart Arena

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Midfielder John McGinn was speaking to the media prior to Scotland's final Euro 2024 group game against Hungary on Sunday.

Here's the best of it:

• He says it would mean everything to reward Tartan Army, who have made him proud to be Scottish.

• The Aston Villa captain says the first game against Germany was a write off, but the draw with Switzerland was about determination.

• "We’ve got different gears to go up," McGinn added.

• He says "it would mean everything" to be the goal hero on Sunday.

• McGinn also says progressing with Scotland would mean more than getting Aston Villa to the Champions League.

• He adds that football is about proving people wrong and that's what Scotland want to do on Sunday.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Stuttgart

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Hungary manager Marco Rossi has been speaking to the media ahead of their match against Scotland on Sunday.

Here are the key points:

• Rossi expects Scotland to be aggressive, as they always are.

• Although he singled out Billy Gilmour, John McGinn and Scott McTominay as key players, he says the team are dangerous as a whole due to their attitude. Adding his side will have to be in the right mood to play as well as possible.

• He says Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai trained alone on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean he’s not fit to play.

• Rossi adds that Callum Styles is at last ready to play for Hungary.

• He says three points might see them through, so no alternative but to go for the win if they want to have a chance of progressing.

• When asked how he'll ensure the players are motivated after a poor start, he hit back that the players shouldn’t need motivation.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Frankfurt

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Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has a big smile on his face when I ask him if he would be happy for Scotland to qualify for the last 16, given the number of fans who've travelled and made new friends here.

"I've seen a lot of the videos in Munich. They are tough when it comes to beer drinking, the Scottish fans," he says.

"They are very noisy. It was a cool game against the Scottish team. But I wish all the teams the best of luck to be successful. First of all we want to win the game tomorrow against the Swiss.

"I wish you all the best. The same for the Hungary team. They [Scotland] should fight for the three points."

Ach well, you can't blame a boy for trying, can you? I was hoping for 'Nagelsmann's Scottish rallying cry'. Instead, we had 'all the best to Scotland and Hungary'.

A superbly diplomatic answer. Germany has been a great host so far and they don't want to upset anyone unnecessarily.

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Leanne Crichton has suggested Ryan Christie should replace John McGinn for Scotland's game against Hungary.

McGinn has started both of Scotland's Euro 2024 group games so far, while Christie started the 5-1 defeat to Germany and came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Crichton says she has "reservations as to how match sharp and on it" McGinn is.

"I think he's going to be massive for us regardless, but I look at the energy levels of Ryan Christie and I wouldn't object to McGinn going out and Christie coming in," she said.

"I'd have Lawrence Shankland playing up top so you have Christie and Scott McTominay who would play underneath him.

"I think if you're bringing on McGinn at 60 minutes in a game where you're looking to win it, I think it would give everybody a massive lift.

"He really struggled in the first game, did a power of running in the second with very little influence in possession. We're just not using McGinn to his strengths.

"I don't think Steve Clarke is going to drop him but I wouldn't object to Christie being given the chance to go and show what he can do in a game where he'd have more influence."

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Scotland striker Che Adams sat down with BBC Sport before Sunday's Euro 2024 group decider with Hungary.

Here are the best bits:

On potentially reaching Euro 2024 knockouts...

"It would go down as the highlight of my career, I think most of the boys would say that as well. To make history for the nation would be so special.

"It's our job to keep it under wraps and keep it to ourselves. There's so much pressure around everything in the tournament and getting out of the group.

"Everyone knows what's at stake. Everyone knows the job. We know what we've got to do and we're fully aware of how we can do it."

On becoming a rare non-Mc Scotland player to score at a major tournament...

"Most of the boys call me McAdams anyway so I think I'll be fine with that.

"Some days you score, some days you don't, it's part and parcel of football. To just be positive and get shots away is the main goal in any game.

"Going into the game on Sunday, we're going to be under pressure regardless."

On the support of the Tartan Army...

"With the fans giving us the extra boost, it made our job 10 times easier [against Switzerland].

"The national anthem before the game really pumped everyone up. It was indescribable really, the feeling that went through my body and all of our families watching.

"We're just looking forward to it again and we know the fans will be there again."

On facing Hungary...

"Every game is going to be tough at the Euros. It's in our hands now, we’ve just got to concentrate on what we've got to do. We're looking forward to it, everyone's excited.

"If we perform like we did the other night then we will be fine. I think there are many ways we can hurt [Hungary].

"We're a good team when we believe in ourselves and we're on the front foot like we were against Switzerland. We can cause problems for any team.

"They're quite physical, they like to put pressure on, they're quite a hard-working team, but so are we."

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Scotland 2-2 USSR, 1982 World Cup

After beating New Zealand 5-2 but losing 4-1 to Brazil, Scotland knew only a win would see them progress.

A dramatic game saw the Scots go ahead through Joe Jordan in the 15th minute, but the USSR hit back in the second half to take the lead.

Graeme Souness equalised four minutes from time, however the game ended 2-2 and Jock Stein's men were out, with the USSR going through in second place.

Scotland 0-0 Uruguay, 1986 World Cup

Scotland suffered losses against Denmark and West Germany, but they still had a chance of making the knockout stages if they could beat Uruguay in their final group game.

Alex Ferguson's men had a man advantage when Uruguay's Jose Batista was sent off inside the first minute, but they could not find a winner and the game ended goalless, seeing the Scots bow out.

Scotland 1-0 Switzerland, Euro 1996

With just one point from two games against the Netherlands and England, Scotland needed a win and a big swing in goal difference against Switzerland to progress to the knockout stages at the expense of the Dutch.

Ally McCoist's 36th-minute goal decided the Villa Park contest and they looked to be going through when England led the Netherlands 4-0.

But Patrick Kluivert's late consolation goal broke Scottish hearts as the Netherlands edged through on goals scored, eliminating Craig Brown's men.

Scotland 0-3 Morocco, 1998 World Cup

As with the Euros two years previously, Scotland went into the final group game on just one point after losing to Brazil 2-1 and drawing 1-1 with Norway.

They needed a win over Morocco and for Brazil to beat the Norwegians, but neither occurred.

Norway pulled off a surprise 2-1 win in their game against Brazil and Scotland were taken to pieces by a strong Morocco side, who beat them 3-0 in St Etienne.

Scotland 1-3 Croatia, Euro 2020

Yet again, Scotland headed into the final group game with just one point, while opponents Croatia also needed a win to progress to the knockout stages.

The visitors took an early lead at Hampden through Nikola Vlasic before Callum McGregor equalised.

However, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic struck in the second half to give Croatia a 3-1 win, ending Scotland's hopes of progressing through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.

We've been sending your questions to our chief sportswriter Tom English and he's given them a good go answering them.

Let's see what he said...

Jake: Do you think Lawrence Shankland should start up front against Hungary?

Tom: "I go backwards and forwards on this one, Jake. I'd probably stick with Che Adams and I think that's what Steve Clarke will do.

"The signs are all there, in that he took so long to bring Shankland on in Cologne. He trusts Adams more. I'd stick with him but I'd be quicker to bring Shankland on from the hour mark."

Chris Mc: Do you think our wingers will get any game-time against Hungary to boost our impact in the forward areas?

"Hi Chris, I think that will depend on how the Hungary game is progressing. I can't see any changes beyond the enforced one with Kieran Tierney.

"If Scotland are drawing or, heaven forbid, losing in the second half then all bets are off. I could definitely see James Forrest coming on at that point. I'd be surprised if we saw Lewis Morgan."

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.

"It's a really interesting one, Ben. 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."

Kris: How does the press conference scran at the Euros compare to the standard domestic offerings?

"Hey Kris, you'll be thrilled to hear that we're well looked after in Scotland Media HQ. Salmon today. Nice range of cakes. Marvellous.

"The situation on match days is very different. Get the violin out. Food is average and expensive in the media room. Scandalous. The Tartan Army must be spending a fortune. My colleague, Scott Mullen, spent €18 on two cups of Coke at the stadium on Wednesday.

Martin: Tom, is there a scenario where Kenny McLean replaces Kieran Tierney for the Hungary game? He can play a deep-lying midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder and I believe dropped into defence for Norwich City last season. He gives in game options.

"Hadn't thought of that, Martin. It would be a surprise if he did, but John Carver said in his press conference that Clarke will be flexible in his selection. I can't see McLean starting, though. Might be a flat four at the back and everything else the same. That would be my guess."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Stuttgart

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Chats on the train to Stuttgart was akin to a casting call for a slot on Only Connect.

The mind-bending conundrums on the BBC game show require a certain type of brain power. If only the Tartan Army would enter a team, they'd be a shoo-in.

It seems pretty straightforward - touch wood - that a win against Hungary will be enough for Scotland to qualify somehow. It even makes me nervous typing that.

But there may well be a scenario where two points get Steve Clarke's side through.

It would be the first time it's ever been done in a Euros.

Are we being pessimistic? Are we being realistic? Or are we just wasting time because we know Scotland may win and it doesn't matter?

You decide...

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Scotland assistant John Carver admits he had a "lump in his throat" when he listened to the Tartan Army belt out Flower of Scotland before the 1-1 draw wth Switzerland.

Videos of Scotland's national anthem went viral online after a particularly passionate rendition from the travelling fans and Carver - from Newcastle - says he was touched by it.

"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," Carver said.

"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."

The assistant says Scotland could change shape to adapt to the loss of Kieran Tierney, whose tournament has been ended by the hamstring injury he suffered against the Swiss.

Under Steve Clarke, the Scots have traditionally played with five at the back to accommodate Tierney and captain Andy Robertson.

"Steve has always talked about being flexible," added Carver. "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."

Scotland superfan and Travis bassist Dougie Payne says the Tartan Army adopting the band's song 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me' is music to his ears.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland en route to Stuttgart

Image source, Scott Mullen

This trip is hurtling past at what feels like the same speed as the train that is carrying us to Stuttgart.

We're now on day nine in Germany. Cologne train station was bursting with Tartan Army moving on to leg three, with the train so busy some were urged to decant at Frankfurt to get on another.

The support the national team has received so far has been overwhelming. At the foot of the Kolner Dom for the past four days, it's been a sea of navy blue.

I'm also enjoying the renaissance of a few retro tops which have become a staple of the TA wardrbbe in recent years.

We hear a viewing area is being set up in Stuttgart for 25,000 Scots to watch the game on Sunday. On the basis of the last few days, they'll need another couple of those.

Two more sleeps.

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Scotland assistant John Carver has been speaking to the media before the final Group A match against Hungary on Sunday.

Here are the key points...

• Carver confirmed Kieran Tierney's tournament is over as he was "heading home" to have his injured assessed by Arsenal. if Scotland do progress, he will only be back in Germany to "support" them.

• Changing shape is "a possibility" and Carver insists that under Steve Clarke, Scotland have been "flexible".

• He would have "snapped your hand off" to have a chance of progressing to the last 16 in the final game.

• Highlighted the strength of Hungary and touched on their form - one loss in 15 games - before the tournament started.

• Insisted the players would not be "flat" like they were against Croatia - the final game of Euro 2020 for Scotland - and says the camp have taken measures to ensure that.

• Carver got emotional when reflecting on how 'Flower of Scotland' was sung before kick-off against Switzerland - "the loudest I've ever heard".

With Liverpool superstar Dominik Szoboszlai pulling the strings, it may come as a surprise that Hungary's midfield is their "most vulnerable area".

Hungarian-born football journalist Bence Bocsak has been giving the lowdown on Marco Rossi's side on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"The game will be won in midfield," he said. "Hungary's midfield is probably their most vulnerable area. Scotland do have some very talented midfielders and I think that's where Scotland have the edge over Hungary.

"Strangely, I think the game will be won by the team that has less of the ball because if we're looking at both teams, they're both sort of very reactionary teams, good in transitions."

Bocsak also picked out one particular Hungary player to watch out for - and it' not Szoboszlai. Instead, it's Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles.

"There's someone who's not played in this tournament that I'm expecting to come in - Callum Styles," added Bocsak.

"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."

BBC Scotland football pundits Leanne Crichton, Steven Thompson and some Scotland fans take on the headers challenge during Euro 2024 in Germany.