Scotland Men's Football Team

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Robertson was quick to dismiss outside criticism in the wake of their 5-1 defeat to Germany.

The Scotland captain accepts only a much-improved performance will do against Switzerland, but backed the Scots to deliver and keep their hopes of progression to the knock-out stages alive.

"I could talk all night, it won't make a difference," the Liverpool defender said. "It's easy to talk about a game of football, but it's not as easy to go out and do it.

"We need action, although we talked after the game. A lot of people outside couldn't wait to dip in. That's fine, they get paid for that and we respect that.

"But we have to act and do a lot better on the pitch. We need to be confident we can perform to our highest level and if we do that, we can cause any teams problems."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland manager Steve Clarke spoke to the media before his side's crucial Euros clash against Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday.

Here were the key points from his press conference:

• He told me to expect "at least one change", with a smile on his face. We all know Ryan Porteous is banned for two matches. But the answer suggests there might be more. Billy Gilmour to start, anyone?

• The other main message from the Scotland boss was a simple one: "We have to go again. It’s as simple as that." He means there’s no point in looking back to the wreckage of the Germany game. It’s all about the Swiss now.

• On tomorrow’s opponents, he says he expects a tough game. "They’re a good side."

• Clarke believes the response from his players in training and in the debriefs has been good but that now it’s time to deliver.

• And the good news? "Everyone is fit."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Cologne

Image source, Getty Images

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin and defender Manuel Akanji both expect a very different Scotland side to the one which was mauled 5-1 by Germany in Munich on Friday.

Both spoke about the excellent qualifying campaign Scotland had, with them describing the marquee wins over Spain at Hampden and Norway in Olso as "the real Scotland". Both feel Scotland froze on opening night and won’t do the same again in Cologne on Wednesday.

Akanji in particular was quite expansive on the dangers Scotland can pose, and the players who’ve impressed him in particular in games he’s played against them recently.

He spoke of the "great seasons" both John McGinn and Scott McTominay have had for Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, while acknowledging the threat posed by Andy Robertson as an attacking force down the left side.

His manager Yakin was keen to praise the German performance the other day, and to downplay any feeling that Scotland under-performed.

"The pressure was very high for Germany," he said. "They played very well, they were very concentrated.

"Not only did they score five goals, they played well with and without the ball and this was the key."

And just in case anyone is in any doubt about the dangers Switzerland will pose Scotland tomorrow night, look at the spine of their team.

Goalkeeper Yann Sommer has just won Serie A with Inter; Akanji helped Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and captain Granit Xhaka has just played a pivotal role as Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga undefeated. I’ve not even mentioned one of the stand-out players from their opening day 3-1 defeat of Hungary, Michel Aebischer.

Scotland have a lot on their plate against the Swiss in what is surely a 'must not lose' game.

Image source, SNS

• This will be the second meeting between Scotland and Switzerland at a major tournament – Scotland won 1-0 in the group stages at Euro 1996, thanks to a goal from Ally McCoist. In fact, that is Scotland’s only win in their last five matches against Switzerland in all competitions (D2 L2).

• The sides last met in March 2006, the Swiss winning a friendly 3-1 at Hampden.

• Scotland’s 5-1 defeat to Germany on Friday was their second-heaviest ever at a major tournament, after their 7-0 loss to Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup.

• Switzerland have only lost two of their last 14 tournament group games, winning seven and drawing five.

• Scotland have won six of their 33 major tournaments games, a win rate of 18%. Among European nations with 25+ matches played at such tournaments, only Bulgaria (13% - 4/32) have a poorer win ratio.

• Switzerland have scored three or more goals in three of their last four Euros matches.

• Scotland recorded just one shot against Germany. It was their fewest number in any international since a friendly against Italy in May 2016 (also one shot).

• John McGinn has appeared in each of Scotland’s last 31 games. It’s the longest run since Tom Boyd played 38 in a row from August 1995 to June 1999. Under Steve Clarke, no player has made more appearances (53), scored more goals (18) or provided more assists (nine) than McGinn.

• Breel Embolo has scored in each of the last three major international tournaments.

Image source, BBC/SNS

BBC Scotland gave supporters the opportunity to ask former winger Neil McCann his thoughts on how Clarke's side should shape up against Switzerland on Wednesday in Cologne.

Here are some of his replies:

Fraser: Would you consider Kenny McLean at centre-back given he has been playing there for Norwich? He appears far better on the ball than the others we have there.

"No, straight no. The three centre-backs I would go with are Jack Hendry on the right, Grant Hanley in the middle and Kieran Tierney on the left."

Brian: For the Switzerland game, do you think Gilmour and Shankland will play? I think they should - we need creative and tenacious players like Gilmour and an out-and-out goalscorer like Shankland to be there, to give us a chance of the win.

"I would play both. I understand Gilmour missing out against Germany in favour of Christie. I actually chose that myself, but I think we missed his bravery to get on the ball.

"His willingness and composure to stay on the ball under pressure is something we'll need to allow John McGinn and Scott McTominay to get in contact with Shankland. I feel a bit for Che Adams because of how tough the Germany game was, no support and no service, but I would start with Shankland up top."

Scott: Do you think Friday night's performance (or lack of) reminded us of the dark days of Bertie Vogts and was nowhere near a representation of just how far we have advanced? How does the manager pick the players up after that and would dropping John McGinn be a good idea?

"No, nowhere near the dark days. The performance was very poor, individually and collectively. Although the run of results that we've been on is very poor, I still believe we can recapture the form which saw us storm the group and qualify.

"The problem is we're missing two big players in Lyndon Dykes and Aaron Hickey and I don't think we're a nation that can afford to miss two important players and it not have an impact. Dropping John McGinn is not a move I would entertain at the moment."

Anon: Is it not time to be bold and start Tommy Conway up front? He looked a breath of fresh air when he came on against Finland. He's quick and with his strength could play the Dykes role well.

"He's not as physical as Dykes - no-one we have can play that Dykes role as well. Conway has done well for his club this season, but I don't think he’s ready for a starting position."

Image source, PA Media

Lawrence Shankland sat down with the Scotland media team, external to discuss the fallout from Munich, facing Switzerland and his journey to the Euros.

Here's what the Hearts striker had to say:

On the painful defeat to Germany: "We got that initial hurt after the game, but you need to very quickly get over it. The past couple of days have been spent analysing what went wrong and trying to make things better.

"There are a lot of good characters in the changing room, you've seen that past couple of days when people have been lifting each other. We’ll move on positively."

What it means to be at the Euros and inspiring others: "It's great. It's the stuff you dream of as a kid growing up. I'm delighted to be here and hopefully we can finish the group positively.

"Hopefully [my journey] inspires a few along the way. In football everyone has their journey. Some are really successful, some are up and down. I wouldn't change much about mine, it’s been great. When you get moments like this it makes all the hard work worth it."

On facing Switzerland: "We watched the game the other day. Every game is different, but we'll analyse it and see how we can get at them.

"The scenario is the same. At the start of the group we knew we'd need four points to guarantee qualification, that's still possible. That's the important thing and that's what everyone is focussing on."

On the travelling support: "We know they're out here for a good time regardless. They were there in their numbers the other night and would’ve left disappointed, as we were. We know the backing is there for us. Hopefully we can win the game for them."

On what needs to change on Wednesday: "Just win. Plain and simple. That’s the case in tournament football."

Image source, Reuters

Scotland defender Ryan Porteous "really has to look at how he wants to be perceived" as a footballer, says Leanne Crichton.

The Watford centre-back was sent off in the Scots' chastening 5-1 Euro 2024 defeat to hosts Germany on Friday and will miss the final two group games.

The 25-year-old's red card, for an ugly lunge on Ilkay Gundogan, was upgraded to a two-match ban by Uefa for "serious rough play".

Porteous' ability as a centre-back has rarely been questioned, but his discipline was often his downfall at Hibernian, where he was booked on 36 occasions and sent off four times.

Crichton says his move to Watford last year was a chance for him to "tidy up his image" after leaving Scotland with a "hot-headed" reputation.

Now the BBC pundit feels the defender will have to regain the trust of head coach Steve Clarke.

"Yes it can be seen as a one-off, but in his career it hasn’t been a one-off," Crichton told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"It’s something he’s going to struggle to deal with and it will constantly haunt him, or he’s going to have to really look at how he wants to be perceived.

"Is he a top-level footballer that can be trusted in the big games? That’s the question he will need to answer.

"I felt at the time he left Hibs for Watford, it was an opportunity for him to go and tidy up his image.

"The reputation he had in Scotland was he was hot-headed, reactive, overaggressive at points, too caught up in certain moments in the heat of the battle.

"As far as I’m aware, his image has been a lot cleaner in terms of his conduct on the pitch at Watford.

"I felt there was a level of trust there, he’s going to need to rebuild that again with supporters and the manager."

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn says Scotland want to repay the loyalty of supporters following Friday's 5-1 loss to Germany. (Herald - subscription), external

Liverpool are close to announcing the arrival of former Scotland midfielder Richard Hughes as sporting director. (Football Insider), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, PA

Scotland have taken a "great boost" from the fans who stuck by them after their Munich mauling, says goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

While the 28-year-old admits the 5-1 defeat to Germany “still hurts”, he insists Steve Clarke’s side are determined to repay the Tartan Army and are targeting full points against Switzerland and Hungary to progress from the group.

"Everyone's still bitterly disappointed from the result and also the performance. I don't think anyone did themselves justice," said Gunn.

"We let ourselves down, our families down and obviously the fans, which is probably the most difficult part to take.

"Seeing all the videos of everyone travelling over before the game, it looked unbelievable and even after a result like that, they were still there, singing and clapping at the end.

"It gives us a great boost, lifts us after such a disappointing result and just makes us want to want to repay them even more in the next two games.

"Obviously we've played against the pot one team now already, so that's out of the way and we've got a target - two wins - that'll get us through the group."

Image source, Reuters

Lewis Ferguson wishes he could be playing for Scotland against three of his club-mates in the Switzerland team on Wednesday as he knows "their every move".

Ferguson's Bologna team-mates Michel Aebischer, Remo Freuler and Dan Ndoye are part of the Swiss squad, while the Scot missed out on Euro 2024 through injury.

Aebischer scored in Switzerland's opening Group A win over Hungary and both he and Freuler provided assists in the 3-1 victory.

"They're obviously a really good squad," Ferguson told BBC Sport. "Good experience, good quality.

"I've played alongside three of them for the last year. They're good payers. They'll want to go and win this game to get through.

"I just wish I was coming up against the boys because I know them so well. I would like to think I would know their every move.

"I've told them not to think about shooting like [they did against Hungary] on Wednesday, just to take it easy."

Could Billy Gilmour's calmness on the ball could be the key to a positive Scotland result against Switzerland?

The Brighton midfielder was left out of Steve Clarke's starting XI in Friday's 5-1 defeat to Germany, a decision that prompted some criticism.

The Scots will have to avoid defeat against the Swiss, who impressed in their opening win over Hungary, to have a realistic chance of progression - and The Athletic's JJ Bull believes Gilmour could be crucial in achieving that.

"If Scotland can win, it will probably be won when Switzerland have the ball in Scotland's half," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Just in that slight moment near the final third, where they just passed it loose a couple of times near the Hungary box. I'm really clutching at things here, but there was a couple of loose passes.

"That's where you could probably pounce and then you'll get the runners.

"Then you need to get John McGinn and Scott McTominay running with the wing-backs, but you need someone like Gilmour to keep that calm."

Bull also believes Scotland will have to show "a lot more tactical discipline" than they did in the ragged hammering by Germany.

"Switzerland were excellent against Hungary and I think what you'll see is lots of rotations, lots of players dragging others out of position, which is the same thing Germany were doing," he added.

"Against Switzerland, you're going to need a lot more tactical discipline. It's not all about just tactics. It's a small bit of it. It makes a huge difference when you get that right because then you can bring the bravery and the actual skill.

"Another thing that Scotland lacked against Germany, forgetting the tactics, none of them could keep their first touch right. The ball was bouncing off them every single time.

"It's very basic stuff. But it's essential to be able to do that at a very good, quick level if you're going to play out through the way Switzerland are going to try and press them."