Scotland Men's Football Team

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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Friendlies really haven’t been Scotland’s forte in recent times.

They’ve now won just three of their last 21 non-competitive matches, struggling again when they don’t have to put their foot to the pedal.

That couldn’t be further from the case in seven days’ time. Germany are not only one of the top sides in the tournament, but will be desperate to open the tournament with a bang in front of their home fans.

For Clarke’s side, it’s important not to let this result affect their psyche ahead of a daunting prospect in Munich.

There were positives to take however. Anthony Ralston have a solid account in the depleted right wing-back berth, while Lawrence Shankland showed the cutting edge he has lacked in recent outings.

Now, can they do it when the lights are brightest?

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Scotland: Gunn, Ralston, Hendry, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson (c), McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn, Christie, Shankland.

Substitutes: Kelly, Clark, Gordon, McTominay, Adams, Porteous, Cooper, Taylor, Morgan, Conway, Jack, McCrorie, McLean, Forrest, McKenna.

Finland: Joronen, Niskanen, Hoskonen, Vaisanen, Ollila, Lod, Peltola, Maenpaa, Terho, Pohjanpalo, Pukki (c).

Substitutes: Hradecky, Sinisalo, Jensen, Ivanov, Tenho, Kallman, Antman, Soiri, Nissila, Galvez, Walta, Talvitie.

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Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki will relish his return to Glasgow as his Finland side take on Euros-bound Scotland, says former Rangers forward Jonatan Johansson.

The Finnish frontman underwhelmed in his spell at Celtic Park, scoring seven goals in 26 appearances.

After disappointing under Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila, Pukki found his shooting boots at Norwich City, and has always been a key player for his national team.

"He’s important, he's so calm on the pitch as well," Johansson told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's got a really calming influence on all the younger players. He's still quick enough, he's a fantastic finisher with both feet as we know.

"Pukki is coming from Minnesota [United] as well, he's in the middle of the league there with them, so he'll be in good form. He was rested during the week."

He added: "I think he's going to really enjoy this game being back in Glasgow. He really enjoyed his time here.

"I know he didn't really produce his best football at Celtic but he really enjoyed his time in Glasgow."

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says Ryan Gauld "should not think he's not being looked at", despite the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder again missing out on a call-up as Euro 2024 looms.

We asked for your views on Lewis Morgan's shock call-up to Scotland's Euro 2024 squad before Friday night's friendly against Finland.

Here's what some of you said:

Grant: I am not so sure about the call-up. Morgan has done well in the US but he did not cut it at Celtic and I was never convinced from what I saw. I am not sure that he will bring the quality at the level required.

Luke: I thought Morgan should have been in the initial squad so glad he's in now, but what on earth does Ryan Gauld have to do to get his chance? He should have been in the squad last Euros after a good season in Portugal and has missed out again despite his good form.

Robert: Brilliant shout, I'm a huge fan. I'm sure if he's given the opportunity he will do well.

Allan: It's a slap in the face for Ryan Hardie of Plymouth Argyle, who scored 13 Championship goals last season, by bringing in a player who scored 10 at a much lower level. Scotland will struggle to score in the Euros and I fear for them

Gentile: Morgan's call-up smacks of desperation and does nothing to enhance our chances of qualifying. Ryan Fraser should have been recalled. Gauld was another who's doing well but Morgan is a step backwards.

Anonymous: Good to see Clarke looking wider for footballers, but what does Gauld have to do to get a chance. I would rather look at someone who opens up defences than take so many defensive midfielders.

Chris: Steve Clarke is panicking - he needs to trust Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams more, while also getting his team to provide more attacking opportunities in the right formation. There must be some injury doubts in the squad as well as a lack of confidence from the manager in our attacking midfield options (James Forrest, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean all way past their best).

After Scotland boss Steve Clarke bristled at what he perceives as too much negativity in the Euros build-up, there's nothing but sheer bubbling enthusiasm from former winger Pat Nevin as he excitedly looks forward to Friday night's "going away party" against Finland and the tournament itself.

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• Scotland have never lost a match against Finland in eight previous meetings (W6 D2). They’ve only faced the Faroe Islands (11 games) and Cyprus (9 games) more often without losing in their international history.

• This is the first meeting between Scotland and Finland since an April 1998 friendly – the Finns took the lead through Jonatan Johansson before Darren Jackson equalised in a 1-1 draw.

• Scotland have lost two of their last three home matches (D1), more than they had in their previous 19 on home soil (W14 D4 L1). The Scots haven’t lost consecutive home games since September 2019, while they last went four without a home win between November 2007 and November 2008 (5 games).

• Finland have won three of their last five internationals (L2), though away from home they’ve lost their last two, conceding four goals both times against Wales (1-4) and Portugal (2-4).

• Scotland’s 2-0 win over Gibraltar ended a run of seven successive friendlies without a victory (D2 L5); not since a run of four victories between March 2015 and March 2016 have Scotland won consecutive friendlies.

• Last time out, Steve Clarke recorded his 25th win in charge of Scotland in what was his 54th game (D12 L17), becoming just the third manager to reach as many as 25 wins after Craig Brown (54th game) and Jock Stein (61st game).

• John McGinn has been involved in 10 goals in his last 18 appearances for Scotland following his assist against Gibraltar (6 goals, 4 assists), with his nine total assists at least two more than any other player since Clarke’s first game in charge in June 2019.

• Finland’s Teemu Pukki has been involved in five goals in his last five international appearances (4 goals, 1 assist), including a brace last time out against Portugal.

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Lewis Morgan can bring a different dimension to Scotland's attack at the Euros, says head coach Steve Clarke.

The New York Red Bulls winger was a shock late call-up on Thursday morning following injuries to forwards Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak.

Clarke admits he has tended to avoid calling up out-and-out widemen in the past, believing Morgan can feature in a variety of positions in Germany.

“He can bring us something a little bit different," he said.

"He’s obviously gone to MLS and had a had a great time out there. It shows that we do look far and wide at players.

“I don’t tend to pick wingers, as I keep getting told, but we have players that can play in wide positions and Lewis can certainly do that.

“Although, having watched a lot of his stuff in the last three or four days, he has also adapted his game a little bit and can play as a striker or a second striker, so he’s got a few strings to his bow that will give us more attacking options.”

The short-notice, long-haul journey from New York City to Glasgow did not faze Morgan during a phone call with performance director Graeme Jones.

Clarke added: “When Graeme started to explain the situation and logistics with Lewis, he said ‘I’ll stop you there, I’m coming’.

"So that reaction that tells you how pleased he is."

Anthony Ralston says he is using Champions League experience with Celtic to prepare for Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who was named in Steve Clarke's provisional squad, has not featured in a European match at club level since 2022.

However, having turned out in multiple campaigns in the Champions League and Europa League, Ralston believes his continental know-how can make a difference in Germany.

"It's about taking experiences you've had over the course of your career," he said.

"I've been lucky enough to have been involved in environments and games like that [the Champions League] where it's at the top level, you need to be on top of your game.

"We're lucky that we've got a lot of boys who have played at that level and we've got a lot of experience as well.

"It's the type of games you need to bring all of that, be fully focused and be 100% ready."

When asked how much it would mean to make Clarke's final squad, which will be trimmed from 28 to 26 players on Friday, Ralston added: "It would mean a hell of a lot.

"It's something when you grow up as a young boy, watching tournaments on the TV, you can only dream of being part of one and you work your full career to be in the position to be part of it."

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An extension to Steve Clarke's contract as Scotland head coach could be "on the cards", says Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney.

The 60-year-old's deal runs out at the end of the next World Cup cycle in 2026.

Clarke became the first Scotland boss to lead the nation to successive European Championships after ending a 23-year wait to appear at a major tournament.

But Mulraney says the SFA feel no need to rush into discussions and praised the manager's commitment to the role.

“I think a couple of years [left on the contract] is a good timeframe for any football manager," he said.

"Steve will, after the Euros, lead us into the next campaign. Thereafter, absolutely it is on the cards.

"If Steve wants to stay, we can see an avenue where that is the case. There are conversations every time we meet each other.

"Steve’s interested in how we make the game better in Scotland. He’s so interested in improving everything - from the fans' experience, from young players to his national team."

Head coach Steve Clarke says there has been too much negativity in the wake of Scotland's laboured warm-up win over Gibraltar as his side prepare to head into their second consecutive European Championship.

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Angus Gunn says he has "never looked back" since switching allegiance from England to become Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper.

The Norwich City number one, having previously played for England from Under-16 to Under-21 level, chose Steve Clarke's side last year as he qualifies through his Thurso-born dad Bryan, who won six Scotland caps.

Speaking on a bonus episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Gunn recalled his debut - the 3-0 win over Cyprus in the Euro 2024 qualifying opener 15 months ago that was swiftly followed by the momentous 2-0 victory over Spain.

"I felt like going into training I had to show the best version of myself and I feel I did do that," the 28-year-old said.

"When I got the nod to start the first game it was a great feeling and I've never really looked back.

"Obviously there was a lot of nerves, I didn't know what to expect. It probably helped me that I had familiar faces around me, like [Norwich team-mates] Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley, also Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams as well when I was with them at Southampton.

"So that really helped me, but to be fair, all of the lads welcomed me straight away and I felt really comfortable pretty much from the first second.

"So credit to them for that and obviously it couldn't have started any better with the first two games as well."

Listen to Angus and Bryan Gunn talk family, pride and the Euros on the Scottish football podcast

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been facing the media as his side prepare for Friday's final friendly before opening Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on 14 June.

Here are the key points:

• Clarke knows which two players will be dropped from the squad but he has not informed them yet. Wouldn’t be drawn on whether one of the four goalkeepers in the provisional squad will head home.

• Says he is ignoring the "negative Normans", feeling there was too much criticism and negativity following a sticky win over Gibraltar on Monday.

• Insists Stuart Armstrong will be fine and will get the all clear to resume full training with the group on Monday.

• Scott McTominay, who has also been suffering with a knock, won't start on Friday but is expected to come off the bench.

• Scotland team against Finland will be "more familiar" than the side that faced Gibraltar, with Clarke saying the friendly provides a "mix and match" opportunity between giving players game-time and preparing for Germany opener.

• Surprise late call-up Lewis Morgan gives the team "good options" and proves Clarke looks far and wide for players.

• "Really interested" to see what U21 striker Tommy Conway brings to the group and the Bristol City striker has fitted in with the national team really well.

• After 5,000 children took in Scotland's opening training session on Thursday, Clarke talks up the importance of inspiring the next generation this summer.

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International football can be a game of fine margins.

For Scotland, any slight advantage could be the difference between a disappointing group-stage exit and the uncharted waters of knockout competition at a major tournament.

But what could Steve Clarke's side have over their capable opposition in Germany, Switzerland and Hungary?

The answer may well be Austin MacPhee.

As coach and analyst John Walker told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, more and more emphasis has been placed on set-piece analysts in the modern game.

He says this trend is reaching an all-time high ahead of the Euros, noting a significant rise in the number of specialists being brought into international set-ups even compared to the Qatar World Cup 18 months ago.

Having crunched the numbers, Walker explains that Scotland's rate of scoring from set-pieces is far higher than the average club side, putting that success down to MacPhee.

The former Hearts and St Mirren assistant manager is now working with Aston Villa, helping Unai Emery and his side to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since its inception in 1992.

Every team Scotland faces at the Euros will have at least one set-piece coach, but Walker believes few will have the pedigree that MacPhee possesses.

"I think we've got the best of the tournament's set-piece analysts, the one that's working at the highest level continually in that role," he said.

"Scotland's stats are way above club average. I know Austin MacPhee's a massive part of that.

"I think we'll see a real rise in corners being converted into goals in this tournament."

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Well, who saw this coming?

With just seven days to go until Scotland open Euro 2024 against host nation Germany, Lewis Morgan has been told to hastily pack a travel bag and get himself from New York City to Glasgow.

The former St Mirren forward had been expecting to spend the next couple of weeks with the Red Bulls, playing out MLS fixtures against Nashville, Montreal and Toronto.

Now, he'll travel with Steve Clarke's side for continental clashes versus Germany, Switzerland and Hungary. Some turnaround.

Earlier this week, Bristol City frontman Tommy Conway was drafted in to bolster Scotland's depleted forward options after Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak both picked up injuries.

But with multiple players still carrying knocks ahead of Friday's friendly with Finland, it seems Clarke is looking to add more firepower into his Euros squad.

Folk will debate the quality of stateside soccer, but there's no arguing that Morgan is player in a rich vein of form.

The 27-year-old has nine goals and three assists in the opening 16 games of his MLS campaign. Lawrence Shankland aside, there's few in Scotland blue that can boast that level of output in recent times.

As the news of Morgan's shock call-up broke on Thursday morning, some people immediately asked what this says about Ryan Gauld.

The Vancouver Whitecaps captain has 10 goal contributions in the same number of games as his compatriot, but still seems frozen out in Canada.

But as the Tartan Army have come to know, Clarke is a creature of habit. Morgan was in one of the head coach's early squads in 2019, and appears to have retained a strong enough reputation to be given one huge opportunity at the final hour.

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Lewis Morgan has been propelled from the international wilderness to a place in Scotland's provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024.

The New York Red Bulls winger won the last of his two caps six years ago and had been regularly overlooked by manager Steve Clarke.

However, Morgan, 27, now looks set for the Euros after being handed a shock call-up by Clarke, who must name his final 26-man squad by Friday.

The inclusion of the former St Mirren and Celtic attacker follows injuries to forwards Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak, with Bristol City striker Tommy Conway already drafted in.

What do you make of Morgan's call-up - is it the right call or were there better options out there? Can he make a telling impact at the finals?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

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Scotland cap Calvin Ramsay says he felt an "instant connection" with manager Shaun Maloney before sealing a season-long loan move to Wigan Athletic from Liverpool.

Former Aberdeen full-back Ramsay will spend next term with the League One outfit after injury troubles curtailed his game-time during previous loan spells at Bolton and Preston.

The 20-year-old earned Aberdeen a club record £4.2m fee when he moved to Anfield on a five-year deal in June 2022, and made his Scotland debut later that year.

But he has featured just twice for the Reds amid fitness problems and is now looking to relaunch his career under former Scotland and Celtic forward Maloney.

Ramsay told the Wigan website: "I am over the moon. It happened quickly and I met the manager two weeks ago.

"I had a really good conversation, and there was an instant connection. I’m excited for the start of the season. It’s a good opportunity at a good club, and I am raring to go."

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Aston Villa remain among clubs interested in Kieran Tierney as Arsenal sources confirmed they hope to generate around £25m by selling the out-of-favour Scotland defender this summer. (TeamTalk), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Scott McKenna has become the latest Scotland player to be released by their club after leaving Nottingham Forest.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who spent the second half of last season on loan at FC Copenhagen, is now a free agent following a four-year spell at the Premier League club.

Former Aberdeen defender McKenna made 106 appearances for Forest and helped them win promotion from the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.

He is the fourth member of Steve Clarke's provisional Euro 2024 squad to be confirmed as a free agent over the past fortnight.

It comes after the expiry of Stuart Armstrong’s Southampton contract, plus the news of Ryan Jack’s Rangers departure and Liam Kelly's Motherwell exit.

Meanwhile, Che Adams remains in talks about signing a new deal with Southampton and Liam Cooper's contract at Leeds also runs out this summer, but no announcement has been made about his future.

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Scotland's injury issues should not "rule them out of finishing in the top two" of their Euro 2024 group, says Ally McCoist.

A first or second-placed finish in Group A, which also includes Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, would guarantee the Scots a first knockout game in a major finals.

Third spot could also secure that, meaning former Scotland striker McCoist is still travelling to Germany with "optimism still at a very, very high level".

Hamstring injuries ruled right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson out of contention while forward duo Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak have been removed from the provisional squad in the past week.

Bristol City striker Tommy Conway has been brought in to soften the blow, but a number of other players, such as Liam Cooper, Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong and John Souttar, are still battling to get up to full fitness.

"It's not ideal, but it's part and parcel in the build-up to any big tournament," McCoist told the Press Assocation.

"As disappointing as it's been, for the boys more than anything, optimism is still at a very, very high level for me.

"If there was a league table for optimism, we'd be top of it every year. I don't think the injuries have helped us, but I wouldn't rule out finishing in the top two. I wouldn't rule out anything.

"We'll probably go into all of our games as underdogs, but we'll certainly go into the Germany game as heavy underdogs. That sometimes suits us."

Scotland are participating in their second successive European Championship, having failed to qualify for the previous five, and have never made it out of the group stage.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin tells The Football News Show why privately the squad will be targeting a spot in the last 16, but probably will not say so in public.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

You have probably heard Tommy Conway's name more than your own over the past couple of days.

The chances of you having limited knowledge on Scotland's most recent call-up are perhaps also equally as high.

But don't let that detract from the fact the Bristol City striker is in Steve Clarke's provisional Euro 2024 squad on merit.

Following untimely injuries to forward duo Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak, 21-year-old Conway has been promoted up from the Under-21s.

The England-born striker, who qualifies for Scotland through his Stirling-born grandfather, has three goals in five U21 caps - the most recent of which was a deft header in Turkey on Monday while Clarke's men were failing to break down Gibraltar.

A Bristol City academy product, Conway has established himself in the Championship club's first team over the last two campaigns after lower-league loans at Yate Town and Bath City.

In the last two seasons, he has netted 24 club goals in all competitions - 12 in each campaign - an impressive tally at that level for one so young.

Dykes has scored 15 for fellow second-tier side Queens Park Rangers in that same timeframe, while Doak is yet to open his account in senior football.

Although five of Conway's 10 league goals in 2023-24 came from his faultless spot-kick record, he still outperformed his total xG (expected goals) of 9.25.

That often means the player in question isn't one to waste too many chances, with those 10 strikes coming from 29 shots on target.

Off the ball, and in comparison to other Championship strikers last term, he ranks high for recoveries and winning possession back in the final third.

And Conway "is a player for the big occasions" - according to Bristol City fan Matthew Withers of '3 Peaps in a PodCast', external.

Conway's double against West Ham supports that notion. His first came in a 1-1 FA Cup draw at the London Stadium before he netted the winner in the third-round replay in January.

"I don't think this will faze him," Withers added of Conway's call-up.

"We played West Ham in the FA Cup and Tommy scored in both games. He strives for the big occasion. He wants to be playing at the very top level," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I'm not sure he's necessarily cut out for that lone striker role, but he's the sort of lad that will play anywhere for you, wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Above all, he's a great, great finisher."