Scotland Men's Football Team

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

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Scotland's Euros base has been a Tartan Army-free oasis this past week, a beautiful old town largely untouched by Euros fever, a quaint and classy ski resort where no bagpipes skirl.

There’s an other-worldly quality about this place near the Austrian border. It is quite literally the calm before Friday night’s storm, an hour and a half away in Munich. When Scotland leave here for the big city on Thursday they’re going to be swapping tranquillity for total pandemonium.

The host nation await. It’s fair to say Germany are confident. They’re doing their best to sound respectful, but it’s obvious from their media utterances that they think they’re in a better place now than they were a few short months ago and also think they are in too good a place to be upset by the Scots.

Teams are supposed to evolve over time, but manager Julian Nagelsmann hasn’t had the luxury of breathing space so he’s had to crack on.

The turnaround in players and formations since Germany drew 2-2 with Mexico in October and lost 3-2 to Turkey in November has been quite something. Back then, Kevin Trapp of Eintracht Frankfurt, Robin Gosens of Union Berlin, Julien Brandt of Borussia Dortmund and Niklas Sule, also of Dortmund, were in the team. None of them are in Germany’s squad now.

Kai Havertz, who will almost certainly play centre forward against Scotland, was being trialled as a left-back. Joshua Kimmich, a right-back, was playing midfield.

Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka of Bayern started in the 2-0 defeat to Austria in late November. Neither of them made the final cut. The same for Mats Hummels of Dortmund. Out.

There was no sign of Toni Kroos returning until the March double-header when everything changed. Maximilian Mittelstadt of Stuttgart came in for his debut at left-back and has stayed there. Kimmich retreated to right-back.

Nagelsmann paired Kroos and the newcomer Robert Andrich as sitting midfielders and moved captain Ilkay Gundogan into a more advanced role. The brilliant 21-year-old Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen and the equally brilliant 21-year-old Jamal Musiala of Bayern flanked Havertz, now removed from the purgatory of full-back.

A new Germany was formed in the blink of an eye. They beat France away and the Netherlands at home. They think they’re beating Scotland, too. Not long to go before we find out.

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Danny Lennon is thrilled the eyes of the football world are on two of his former St Mirren proteges as Scotland prepare to open Euro 2024 against hosts Germany.

Lennon, 55, gave talisman John McGinn his professional debut as an 18-year-old in 2012 when he was in charge of Saints and also handed a teenage Kenny McLean his Buddies bow in 2010.

Both of the Paisley academy graduates played a big part in helping Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 last year, and Lennon is hoping to see the Aston Villa and Norwich midfielders prosper in Germany.

Steve Clarke’s side kick off Euro 2024 against Germany at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday.

“It’s always nice when you’ve worked with players and you see them progress to the level John and Kenny have gone to,” said Lennon.

“You could tell at a young age they had ability but what’s got to come along with ability is the character, determination and attitude, and the two of them have that in abundance.

“I started John McGinn in a cup final at 18 years of age so that’s how much faith and belief I had in him,” he said.

“I’ve only had a wee helping hand in his career, like every other coach he’s had – it’s John who has put himself on this stage – but you could certainly see at an early age the talent that he had."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Just when you talk yourself into Scotland potentially earning themselves a memorable result on Friday, a quick glimpse of Germany's reported leaked team, external reinstalls the fear.

Veteran duo Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos have become household names over the years, as have the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger.

Chuck the countless medals of the five of them in a bag and you will even see Tom Stoltman struggle to pull it off the deck.

All five, who are expected to start, are already in - or are heading towards - the latter years of their careers.

In Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, though, Germany have fresh blood that can carry the weight of a powerhouse nation for the next decade.

Both just 21, Bayern Munich's Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen double winner Wirtz are among the brightest young stars in Europe, having amassed 58 goal contributions between last term.

But with the pair regularly occupying the same position at club level, there have been suggestions Julian Nagelsmann is facing an Andy Robertson/Kieran Tierney-esque conundrum.

The Germany boss rejected that, however, and is reportedly set to include both in his side to face Scotland.

In fact, Musiala and Wirtz believe their connection on and off the pitch could carry the tournament hosts to a fourth Euros title.

"We both want to win the title and we know we need each other for that," Bundesliga player of the year Wirtz said.

"It would not be healthy if we were trying to outdo each other. Personally it doesn't matter to me who scores more goals."

Stuttgart-born Musiala, who grew up in England and represented the Three Lions at youth level, warned Scotland that Germany have the flexibility to cope with whatever Steve Clarke's side can throw at them.

"We are very variable, can change teams and always cause problems for the opponent," Musiala said.

"It is important that we focus on playing well ourselves, then Scotland will be more worried about us than we are about them."

Kroos, who will retire after the finals, says the two have "few limits" in their games. High praise from a serial winner and iconic figure in German football.

Clarke could be doing with discovering those limits by Friday. Quelling the 21-year-old duo will be vital to Scotland's chances of a shock opening result.

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Former Scotland international Colin Hendry wouldn't be surprised to see Scott McTominay feature up front at the Euros.

The former defender is confident Steve Clarke's side can score enough goals to progress from the group stage.

"I'm not saying this is going to happen, definitely not, but I wouldn't be averse to seeing Scott McTominay at some stage up alongside Che Adams," Hendry said.

"Adams will probably be the striker to start and McTominay will probably be in close attendance to him, trying to get goals for us.

"If anything happens, Scott McTominay playing 10-15 minutes up there as a striker - he's been a massive player for Man United this season.

"We've got the same problem we had back in my day - we don't score enough goals - but I do think this side can do it."

Craig Telfer, presenter of BBC Scotland's A View From the Terrace, isn't short of optimism as he makes his prediction on how Steve Clarke's side will fare in Group A at the Euros.

Listen to the full episode of the Scottish Football podcast

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Billy Gilmour says starting for Scotland in Friday's Euro 2024 opener against Germany would be "the stuff of dreams".

The Brighton midfielder was speaking to the media at Scotland's training camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

"We know how Scotland is so passionate, especially about football," Gilmour, 23, said.

"Everyone wants us to do well and for us we want to give everything we've got back to our fans.

"There's a real buzz around the country and I think you can tell that straight away.

"Of course I want to start and play every game possible.

"If I did get the opportunity to walk out at the opening game at the Euros it would be amazing, it's the stuff of dreams really."

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Motherwell right-back Stephen O'Donnell has revealed that not everyone was happy that he had been picked for Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the last Euros.

"I remember I'd just had my second child before the tournament," the 32-year-old told the Sacked In The Morning podcast.

"You turn up at the team hotel in Middlesbrough and I am like a kid looking at the pool and things and thinking this isn't too shabby - it's a long way from Lanarkshire. You're absolutely pinching yourself the whole time.

"Well, I was buzzing and I was getting a good night's sleep and the food was incredible. The wife wasn't best pleased and I actually remember like one of her pals is giving her grief for me going - yeah, it's not fair. How's that fair?

"Quite a lot of people don't really understand or respect football. How many times do you hear when you play football - it's not really a job is it?"

Scotland, of course, had qualified for a major tournament for the first time in 23 years - only for Covid to limit the number of fans who could enjoy the experience.

"I think Scotland itself needed a filip of some kind and I think the football brought that," O'Donnell said.

"Football a lot of the time gets bad press for causing problems, but the core of it brings people together and, especially in the highs, it's incredible."

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Midfielder Billy Gilmour has been speaking to the media as Scotland prepare for Friday's Euro 2024 opener against Germany.

Here are the key points:

• Scotland want to make this Euros campaign "one to remember" - they're aiming to get out the group, see how far they can progress and put on a good show for the support.

• Acknowledged the competition for places in midfield, says everyone wants to start but knows it's up to the manager.

• Gilmour, who turned 23 on Tuesday, says the past season at Brighton has been "really good" for his development, he's enjoying his football and feels he's progressing well, remarking that he's "no longer a young kid".

• Gilmour hailed the "unbelievable" Toni Kroos and is hoping for the chance to come up against the German midfielder, adding that starting on Friday would be "the stuff of dreams".

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Germany have drafted in Emre Can to replace Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic two days before their Euro 2024 opener against Scotland.

Pavlovic, 20, is ruled out with tonsillitis having only made his national debut on 3 June during a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

But he missed Friday's 2-1 win against Greece and has been forced to withdraw from the squad. Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, now of Borussia Dortmund, has replaced him.

Read the full story here

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Former Scotland hero James McFadden believes Steve Clarke's side can "really shock people" at Euro 2024.

"When it comes to competitive games, I believe this squad will have total belief they can win games and get out of the group," he told the Football Daily podcast.

"I still believe we can go and really shock people, get the results we need and get out of the group. Then, who knows?

"I think the players, the manager, the staff, the people that matter, believe Scotland can go and get results. I think the fans will quickly see that when the games kick off."

Former winger Pat Nevin, meanwhile, insists Scotland "will turn up when they have to" at the Euros after underwhelming warm-up matches against Gibraltar and Finland.

"There's been a bit of negativity hanging about after the friendlies, but we need to draw a line under it," Nevil said.

"Friendlies are friendlies, you just shrug your shoulders and get on. The players know they will turn up when they have to turn up.

"And Steve Clarke believes the group will turn up when he needs them to, so there's a quiet confidence there."

Chris MacLennan
BBC Scotland

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It’s a feat not achieved by many. Only 37 before, in fact.

But as Steve Clarke’s side step out on the big stage in Munich, bringing the curtain up on Euro 2024, one man will be hoping to join an illustrious club of players to represent Scotland on 50 occasions.

Inverness-raised Ryan Christie will - if selected by Clarke - become the first from the Highland capital to walk out in the navy blue of the men’s national side on so many occasions.

With his roots forged at his hometown club Inverness Caledonian Thistle, his dad, Charlie, a former player and manager of the club, has spoken to BBC Sport Scotland about his son’s pending achievement.

"It’s something that I never, ever foresaw or predicted, but its tremendous," Christie Snr said.

"I don’t give out plaudits easily – I’m sure Ryan will back me up on that – but I’ll be brimming with pride, as many parents will be. It’s quite surreal to be honest."

Christie Snr says his son's hard work and determination has got him to where he is today.

"There was a stage at Celtic where I thought he might have to leave but he was adamant.

"He said ‘no dad, I want to give it a go. I want to play for Celtic and I think I can be good enough to play for Celtic’.

"I quite admired him at that stage for having that determination and I was delighted when he was proved right."

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Stephen O'Donnell has "a wee bit more optimism" about Scotland's prospects at Euro 2024 because so many of the squad experienced the last championships along with him.

The Motherwell right-back stressed that, despite "the media up here slaughtering" the Czech Republic side, their team "was not rubbish by any stretch of the imagination".

But O'Donnell admits that Steve Clarke's side, who failed to qualify from their group, lost what was potentially the least difficult of the three games.

"I think we'd have maybe liked to have had that last, because we did learn things about our squad and just as a team playing in tournament football it's different," he said.

O'Donnell pointed out that even getting the simple things like how much table tennis to play during spare time and how much to rest was a learning experience.

"Everybody was learning and what gives us the chance to be more optimistic for this tournament is that the majority of that squad's got that tournament experience, which none of us had," he said.

"These are the things that when you're speaking it gives you a wee bit more optimism for this tournament because you've got they all have that now."

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Recalled Scotland midfielder Lewis Morgan says he was only given a 20% chance of returning to his best after hip surgery.

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Former England coach Chris Powell reckons Scotland's improvement under Steve Clarke has much to do with the head coach's "level-headed" demeanor.

"I've never seen him in any other mood other than what you see on TV - it's brilliant," the former Charlton Athletic manager told the Sacked In The Morning podcast.

"I think it's important, especially at international level, where the whole country is watching. It's not a club team, so everyone's engaged in the team.

"And he's just level-headed about it all. I think it's a brilliant way to go.

"It's no surprise that the team has got to where it's got to and where hopefully it's going to, because it's important that any player that comes in, any staff member that comes in, they know exactly where they stand.

"Everyone wants that and you're sort of getting consistency in the games now as well. So it's no surprise to me."

As an example of the calmness exuded by Clarke on the touchline, Motherwell right-back Stephen O'Donnell recalled the head coach's reaction during Scotland's defeat by the Czech Republic at Euro 2020.

"I took a touch out the park, so I expected a bit of stick for that," he said. "I was like, there's a hole in the pitch. I turn around and I'm running back to position and he's right next to me right on the touchline and he just said 'try not to do that again' and laughed.

"Instantly, it kind of just brings you back to, okay, it's not the end of the world. Like you didn't mean it, nobody died, let's go again."