Scotland Men's Football Team

Scotland assistant John Carver says 18-year-old Liverpool forward Ben Doak has fitted seamlessly into the squad ahead of Euro 2024 and is primed for action if called upon.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland assistant manager John Carver has been speaking to the media as the national team prepare for two international friendlies ahead of Euro 2024.

Here are the key points:

• The friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland are an opportunity for the players to "stake their claim" for the final squad, with Carver saying they will be "very important" in the selection process.

• The mood in the camp "feels different" from their previous Covid-restricted Euros preparations and there's a "huge excitement" among the players and staff.

• Scott McTominay, Ben Doak, Scott McKenna, Stuart Armstrong and John Souttar did not train with the main group on Thursday.

• Carver says Scotland "can't afford" to lose any more players to injuries and that will play into their plans ahead of the tournament.

• Being in the dugout for the opening game in the Allianz Arena against Germany will be "one of the highlights" of Carver's career.

• He says it's like Ben Doak has been with the squad for "10 years" and he has "fit right in". Adds the Liverpool winger brings "something special" to the team and "nothing fazes him".

• There have been no discussions on whether they will take three or four goalkeepers to the tournament.

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20 years ago today, Craig Gordon made his Scotland debut.

Two decades later he's in the provisional squad for Euro 2024 and could become the nation's oldest ever player if he makes it onto the park in Germany.

Now 41, the fresh-faced goalkeeper earned his first cap on 30 May 2004 as Berti Vogts' side trounced Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 at Easter Road.

Darren Fletcher, Gary Holt, Gary Caldwell and Nigel Quashie were on the scoresheet in an emphatic win in the capital.

Back then, would young Gordon have expected he'd still be playing for Hearts and Scotland all these years later?

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Josh Doig could remain in Italy's Serie A following Sassuolo's relegation, with Roma reportedly interested in the Scottish left-back. (Herald - subscription), external

Scotland international Andy Considine indicates he has played his last game for St Johnstone with his two-year contract at an end. (Courier - subscription), external

Leeds United could lose Scottish teen Archie Gray this summer. (Team Talk), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Over the past two decades, it's rare for Scotland's national team to be the architect of a 'moment of the season'.

A positive one, at least, anyway.

When discussing a potential standout moment from the past campaign on the Scottish Football Podcast, BBC Sport Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont took a "step out of the domestic realm" for his pick.

"I'm going to go for way back in October, Scotland qualifying for the Euros," he says. "These kind of things seem like they happened decades, but it was only this season.

"So we beat in Cyprus on in September for a fifth straight qualifying victory, which was unprecedented for Scotland.

"Although we then lost to Spain the following month, all that early hard work paid off when we weren't actually even playing as Spain beat Norway.

"Unfortunately we haven't won since that game over Cyprus, but hopefully we'll put that right next week and more importantly going into the finals in Germany."

Meet Craig Ferguson, a Scotland fan walking to Germany for the Euros.

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Scotland have a 1.2% chance of winning Euro 2024, according to a prediction from a supercomputer.

Quick, find the Dumb and Dumber 'so you're telling me there's a chance' meme.

The Scots go to Germany in a rough run of form having never progressed out of a group at a major tournament.

Steve Clarke's side find themselves in a tough section, facing the hosts in their opening game before taking on Switzerland and Hungary in Group A.

All of that considered, the Oddspedia Supercomputer predicted Scotland have just a 1.2% chance of winning the competition after after 1,000 simulations.

We have a dream.

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James Forrest wants to take his electric club form onto the international stage as he looks to make Scotland's Euros squad.

The 32-year-old was a bit-part player for Celtic for the majority of the season, but broke into the side in March and didn't look back, scoring five goals in nine games as Brendan Rodgers' side secured a league and cup double.

"Even in the March international break, I was playing a bounce game for the ones that don’t go internationally against St Mirren at Lennoxtown," he said.

"It just shows you in football that if you keep working hard you get a chance and stuff can change.

"Obviously I’ve played for Scotland before as well, so it’s not anything new, but just the the way it’s happened I’ve not been in a camp for a few years.

"Scotland’s all about players that go there with confidence and we can feed off each other as well."

Scotland boss Steve Clarke will cut two players from his provisional squad before the tournament proper, but Forrest says he isn't looking that far ahead.

"How it’s been with Celtic the last couple of months, I think it’s going to be the same," he said.

"I’m just going to go there and enjoy every day, not even look to the Euro games, just look to the friendlies and just enjoy training and enjoy being a part of it. That’s when I’ve been playing really well the last couple of months.

"Obviously they’ve done really well qualifying and they’ve had a good tight group there. But I think I can add to that and help the boys as well and that’s what I’m looking to do."

We asked for your reaction to the provisional 28-man Scotland squad picked by Steve Clarke for the Euros.

Here's what some of you said:

Mark: Why do managers always go to such extraordinary lengths not to include players who play in Scotland? Other than those who play for Celtic and Rangers, there's only one outfield player from a Scottish team, despite plenty of talent. No wonder we lose our best talent to the lower English leagues - they never get selected when they stay in Scotland.

James: Ryan Gauld and Lewis Morgan should be included on merit. Most players in the Scotland Squad are from leagues on par with the MLS and even from the English Championship none are standout. The players included returning from injury haven't proved they're on form.

Robin: Disappointed there's no place for Kevin Nisbet in the provisional squad. Clarke never gave him many minutes on the park when he was in the Euros squad. Looking at recent results, he seems to have been too loyal to some who got the game time and failed.

Anon: Centre-backs a problem, no genuine right-back and apart from Lawrence Shankland no goalscorer. It will be a struggle.

Alan: I am gutted to learn Ryan Jack has made the squad. He’s barely played this season. I feel we have to start going for a younger team now and not after the Euros. Any other team like a Germany or France give young players regular starts before older players finish careers. We have to change now.

Anon: I was puzzled by the inclusion of Ryan Jack and the amount of central defenders he named in the squad. With Ben Doak given a wildcard entry I would have liked to see another young up-and-coming player like Tommy Conway called up.

Alex: Hard to argue with many of Clarke's picks. However, the calibre of player isn't high enough to get out of our group in my opinion. I do feel for the manager, he hasn't got a lot to pick from at the moment.

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Andy Robertson admits it will be hard to treat the opening game of Euro 2024 against hosts Germany as anything other than a "special occasion".

The Liverpool left-back will become just the second Scotland skipper to lead his nation out at multiple major tournaments, after fellow Anfield stalwart Graeme Souness.

And while Robertson insists the primary objective will be to start the Euros with a positive result in Munich on 14 June, he expects emotions to be high inside the Allianz Arena.

"The easy answer is try to treat it as a normal game, but I don't think that's possible," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports.

"It's a special occasion. You're opening the tournament.

"Once our national anthem plays, there will be a lot of Tartan Army in there, but all of us will be singing it loud and proud.

"There will be that feeling in your stomach - that excitement - we don't want to take that away from all of us.

"It's important we use it to our advantage. We're ultimately there for our result and that's what we'll be fully focused on."

With more than 200,000 Scots reported to be travelling to Germany for a first major tournament without restrictions since the 1998 World Cup, Robertson hailed the support of the Tartan Army.

"The Tartan Army always surprise you," he said. "However many you think is going to be there, you can times it by five or 10. The way they support the team is unbelievable.

"Everyone you bump into in the street up here is going over. I don't know how they're all getting tickets. They believe their nation is back at major tournaments.

"I've had to block a few numbers. Everyone's trying to go."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reveals James Forrest has cancelled his summer holiday after being included in Steve Clarke's provisional Scotland squad for the Euros.

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James Forrest says he's looking to make more memories with Scotland after being named in the provisional squad for the Euros.

The winger's incredible end-of-season form caught the eye of national team boss Steve Clarke, who praised the 32-year-old as a role model to young footballers.

Forrest, whose previous most recent call-up came in 2021, says he's reaping the benefits for a successful period with Celtic.

"It's a massive bonus after the last couple of months," he told club media. "It's a great experience to go away with the national team for the Euros.

"I know most of the boys in the squad even though it's been a few years since I've been in the squad. I'm really looking forward to it.

"People were talking and asking me questions, but I've just loved the last couple of months. I've been really enjoying my football. You reap rewards with the national team.

"I've always loved it. You do well for Celtic and you get in. I've got a lot of memories playing for Scotland. Hopefully I can make another memory in the summer."

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Scot Gemmill says Ben Doak's inclusion in the provisional squad for Euro 2024 provides a "huge motivation" to Scotland's Under-21 players to impress Steve Clarke.

Liverpool forward Doak, 18, has six caps for Gemmill's Under-21s and has earned his first call-up to Clarke's squad for the finals in Germany next month.

With some fitness concerns present, he revealed any stand-by players would come from Gemmill's Scotland Under-21 squad which was named on Thursday morning for upcoming friendlies against Turkey and Austria.

“I think it is really exciting," Gemmill said. "Steve spoke about it yesterday, with the squad obviously raised to 26, he named 28, it is a provisional squad so I think it is really exciting and a brilliant opportunity for him, same as all the other players."

On the potential for more of his squad, which includes the likes of Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Max Johnston and Tommy Conway, to join Doak, Gemmill said: “It is huge motivation and it is fantastic that they know the national team manager is watching the Under-21s so closely.

“We said many times, he knows better than anybody, who is in the squad, what level they are at and the potential that they have and, as he said, anything can happen in football so the players have to be ready.

“The players are very intelligent, they will have watched Steve speaking and are watching the senior squad very closely.

“There will be players in our squad disappointed that they are not in Steve’s squad and I think that’s good, that’s healthy.

“We want to be working with players with that mentality and they need to keep pushing, they know that.”

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Craig Gordon shouldn't be taken to the Euros out of "sentiment" and must be ready to play, says former Scotland team-mate James McFadden.

The 41-year-old Hearts captain was named alongside fellow Tynecastle goalkeeper Zander Clark - as well as Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly - in Steve Clarke's provisional squad for next month's tournament.

Having returned to action earlier this year following a double leg break at the tail end of 2022, Gordon has struggled to force his way back into the Hearts team, which concerns McFadden.

"The best Craig Gordon is better than Zander Clarke, but if Craig's back to his best, he should be playing every week for Hearts and he hasn't been," he told BBC's Football Daily podcast.

"I get the experience, a fantastic goalkeeper. One of the best I've played with. I'd love him to go to the Euros, but not out of sentiment.

"He has to be at the level to be ready to play. If he's not, as terrible as this sounds, he shouldn't be there."

The Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant expects Gordon's wealth of experience to earn him a seat on the plane.

"I don't think Craig Gordon is back in the squad for no reason, he said. "I think Craig's experience will count heavily is his favour with Steve Clarke.

"Gunn is the first choice goalkeeper, I suspect if he goes down to three goalkeepers it'll be Clark and Gordon who go with him."

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Kenny Miller believes Scotland's upcoming friendlies will go a long way in determining selection for the Euros, particularly in the troublesome right wing-back position.

Scotland face Gibraltar (3 June) and Finland (7 June) before they open the tournament proper against host nation Germany on 14 June, but will do so without Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson, who are both out injured.

Celtic's Anthony Ralston and Bristol City's Ross McCrorie are the two right-sided defenders in Steve Clarke's provisional 28-man squad, and Miller says McCrorie's "physicality" is what sets him apart.

"We'll see in these friendlies exactly where Steve Clarke's head's going to be at in terms of that position," the former Scotland striker said.

"Ross McCrorie has not got any caps, he's been in the squad, but he's not made onto the pitch yet. So if you see him getting a run out in these next games, it could be a test to see how he is going to fit in. Is it going to suit him?

"The problem is there is actually no other options that are all of the same level [of Hickey and Patterson]. So Steve Clarke's having to find a workaround at a really bad time.

"There's one thing for sure he'll suit, McCrorie has got the physicality to go all day up and down that right side, there's no questions about it.

"He's not going to have the same types of attacking qualities as what Hickey or Patterson have got; in that first game that might not be required too much.

"It'll be about being aggressive, being a good presence in the box, dealing with crosses or set-plays."

Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller is backing Steve Clarke's side to make history at Euro 2024 by progressing beyond the group stage.

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