McKenna starts in Scotland XIpublished at 19:05 23 June 2024
19:05 23 June 2024
The only Scotland change following Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Switzerland sees Scott McKenna replace the injured Kieran Tierney on the left of the back three.
Thommo quizzes the Tartan Army...published at 16:05 23 June 2024
16:05 23 June 2024
Media caption,
Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson poses questions to fans in the build-up to the seismic Euro 2024 match with Hungary.
'Scotland need to utilise McTominay's attacking strengths'published at 15:11 23 June 2024
15:11 23 June 2024
Image source, PA
Get Scott McTominay in the Hungary box.
That has to happen as much as possible if Scotland are going to get the result they need in their last game in Group A.
In the past couple of years, the Manchester United man has been really important to Scotland because he can play in several different roles.
It was not too long ago that McTominay was as used as centre-half under Steve Clarke for a period but, more recently, he has played higher up the pitch – which is where I feel you get the best out of him.
When I watch him, it is his goals that stand out. He has got plenty of them for club and country in big games in the past few months, so many that it makes me think that he might end up being Scotland’s top scorer.
At the moment that is definitely the part of his game that we need the most.
Scotland have not really offered much of a threat so far at Euro 2024 and McTominay gives us the best chance of doing that on Sunday, in a game we probably need to win to reach the last 16.
Scotland 'back to their best' & ready to deliver - Dykespublished at 14:49 23 June 2024
14:49 23 June 2024
Image source, PA
Image caption,
Lyndon Dykes, middle, says the mood in the Scotland camp is upbeat
Sidelined Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes is backing the team to get the job done against Hungary.
Dykes, who is with the squad in Germany despite his on-field involvement being scuppered by injury, told the BBC's Sunday Breakfast: "They definitely can do it. The reaction was really good to see [against Switzerland on Wednesday].
"The boys turned up, played very well. Hopefully they get the result tonight.
"It's always a tough role up there. Sometimes you don't get a lot of chances. But it's a team effort, we all stick together and that's how we win games.
"The players feel really good. There are smiles on the faces, the boys are confident. The second game they showed they were back to their best. Everyone will just be buzzing to get out there."
On missing the tournament through injury, Dykes added: "It was really tough at the start, I had been waiting on this all season. It was devastating.
"But I decided to come out with the boys to have a bit of fun with them. Once the game gets going, I'm just a fan."
What do Scotland need to make last 16?published at 14:39 23 June 2024
14:39 23 June 2024
Image source, PA
Image caption,
Scotland fans gather in Stuttgart before the Hungary game
A win against Hungary secures Scotland either second or third - most likely third - and potentially a place in the last 16.
To finish second would require a German victory over Switzerland, and one hell of a goal swing. The Swiss currently have a goal difference of +2 while ours is -4.
If a six-goal swing happens and the goal difference finishes level (both teams have scored four goals and conceded six) then lower disciplinary points would decide second, which Switzerland hold.
We'd take a scrappy 1-0 though, getting Scotland to four points - which is usually enough to be one of the best third-placed teams.
What about a draw? Well, mathematically, Scotland do not need to win tonight. A draw would move them to two points which might - big might - be enough to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
Should any two of these three things happen, a point would be enough for Clarke's men to sneak through on the two-point mark:
Spain and Italy both win their final games in Group B - against Albania and Croatia respectively - on Monday
Denmark overcome Serbia and England beat Slovenia by four goals in Group C on Tuesday
Portugal and Turkey earn victories in Group F on Wednesday over Georgia and Czech Republic respectively
Scotland v Hungary: Pick of the statspublished at 10:51 23 June 2024
10:51 23 June 2024
Image source, PA
Image caption,
Can Scott McTominay make the difference for Scotland with qualification for the last 16 on the line?
This will be Scotland and Hungary’s first competitive encounter. All nine of their previous meetings were friendlies (3 wins for Scotland, 4 wins for Hungary, 2 draws).
Scotland have won two of their last three meetings with Hungary (L1), with this their first meeting since a 1-0 away win in March 2018.
Scotland are looking to reach the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time. Although they have won just two of their 11 group games at Euros (D3 L6), both wins came on matchday three: in 1992 vs CIS (3-0) and 1996 vs Switzerland (1-0).
Hungary have lost both of their games so far at Euro 2024, losing to Germany and Switzerland. They’ve only lost all of their matches at two major tournaments before, losing both games at Euro 1972 and all three group games at the 1978 World Cup.
Scotland’s starting XI against Switzerland last time out had a combined total of 470 caps (including that game), their most for an international ever. It was also their first starting lineup to feature five players with more than 50 caps – McTominay (51), Hanley (52), McGregor (62), McGinn (68) and Robertson (73).
Hungary have only won one of their last 17 games at major tournaments (Euros + World Cup) against European nations (D5 L11), a 2-0 win over Austria on matchday one of Euro 2016.
Excluding own goals, the six scorers of goals for Scotland at European Championships have all had surnames starting with Mc – McStay, McClair and McAllister in 1992, McCoist in 1996, McGregor in 2020 and McTominay in 2024. In addition to this, their four assisted goals have all come from Mc players (McPherson, McCoist, McAllister, McGregor).
Hungary are winless in their last eight UEFA EURO matches (D4 L4) – the only nation to have a longer winless run in the competition are Russia between 1988 and 2004 (9 games – including games as Soviet Union/CIS).
Since the start of 2023, Scott McTominay has scored eight goals in 10 competitive internationals for Scotland, only one fewer than all other Scottish players combined in that time (9 goals). McTominay has also had four of Scotland’s 13 shots at Euro 2024, as well as eight of their 27 touches in the opposition box.
'I just had to embrace it'published at 09:13 23 June 2024
09:13 23 June 2024
Media caption,
Scotland midfielder John McGinn on joining in with the Bavarian welcome dance when the squad arrived at their Euro 2024 base of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Scotland 'underplaying' Hungary importance - Clarkepublished at 19:36 22 June 2024
19:36 22 June 2024
Image source, PA Media
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."