Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland boss Steve Clarke is braced for "very difficult" face-to-face conversations next month when he has to cut two players from his squad for Euro 2024.

Clarke has announced a provisional pool of 28 ahead of warm-up friendlies against Gibraltar on 3 June and Finland on 7 June, the day he has to reduce the squad.

"More than a third of the squad have still got games to play this week, be involved in games before we meet up,” he said.

"There's probably five or six players who we have maybe a doubt about.

"Let's see how the pre-camp pans out and then we will take it from there. But ultimately there is going to be two very difficult conversations.

“The good thing about it is it won't be a telephone call. It will be a sit down, face to face and I will just have to tell it as it is. But it will be two difficult conversations.

"But I am really pleased I can sit here and put out those names. It makes the tournament feel a little bit more real."

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media after naming his provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024.

Here are the key lines from the press conference:

• Clarke says he chose 28 players - two have to be omitted by 7 June - to "buy a little time", adding: "I've probably got half a dozen who are not playing regularly or coming back form injury. So it's just to go a little bit bigger and give us more breathing space. We can take a look at them over our 10 days together in the pre-camp".

• Uncapped 18-year-old Liverpool forward Ben Doak has "a lot of talent" and pace, which Scotland "haven't got in abundance".

• Clarke hints Doak will make the final squad by saying: "He's something a little bit different, he's young and has a lot to learn in the game. It just seemed like the right opportunity with the squad going from 23 to 26."

• On calling up uncapped Ross McCrorie: "I lost my two first-choice right backs/right wing-backs. Ross got back in the [Bristol City] team in the second half of the season, acquitted himself well and got some minutes under his belt."

• Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack brings experience and "deserves" to be in the squad, with Clarke adding: "He hasn't had the best end to the season for Rangers but he's been fit the past two or three weeks. He's a midfield player that's a little bit different."

• On recalling Celtic winger James Forrest: "If ever there's an example to young players on how to conduct yourself if things aren't going well at your club, James epitomises that. He's had a fantastic finish to the season. You're looking and thinking: 'Wow, James is back to where he was three or four years ago.' That was something I couldn't overlook."

• Going from 23 to a 26-man squad amid injuries to the likes of Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey made the squad selection "more difficult" for Clarke.

• He says Scotland are "capable" of reaching the knockout stage for the first time, adding: "That would be a magnificent achievement. That'll be the aim."

Steve Clarke has shown his hand and picked his provisional 28-man Scotland squad for the Euros.

What do you make of his selection? Any glaring omissions? Any inclusions you're puzzled by?

Share your thoughts here., external

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Ben Doak - the 'wildcard' in Steve Clark's squad for Euro 2024 - is the most exciting Scottish talent to emerge in years.

There's been a buzz about the precocious youngster with the electric pace ever since he was thrown on by Ange Postecoglou for a Celtic debut at the age of just 16 years and two months.

That was back in January 2020, and just a few months later he was lured away by Liverpool amid a deluge of interest from top cubs.

Now 18, Doak has had an injury-interrupted year at Anfield, but Clarke clearly has faith in the forward, who has previously been likened to Wayne Rooney.

Doak's agent, Jackie McNamara, told BBC Sport 18 months ago: "He's a Scottish Rooney. That's what I said to Ange at Celtic, I told him I've never seen anything like Ben."

Tommy McIntyre, the former Celtic B team manager, coached Doak in the club's academy ranks.

"He wasn't with me long before Ange took him up to the first team," said McIntyre. "He's so exciting because he's a player that gets fans off their seat - when he gets the ball, he's so direct.

"He's got blistering pace and has a trick as well. He can get past people, he provides crosses into the box, he creates chances, he finishes.

"He has a real winning mentality and you could see that with the way he played. He was a joy to work with."

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Captain Andy Robertson says getting past the group stage of a major tournament for the first time is Scotland's aim at Euro 2024 next month.

The Scots face hosts Germany in the tournament opener on 14 June and also take on Switzerland (19 June) and Hungary (23 June) in Group A.

"We have to be the team that creates history," the Liverpool left-back told Sky Sports.

"Getting out the group has to be our aim. It's a tough group but we believe we can give any team a game.

"If we do that and manage to get out the group, we'll be the first Scotland team to ever do that.

"We've been trying to create our own history and our own story within a nation with a lot of good teams in the past and legends of the game.

"We're aiming to create a small part of history and we've done that by reaching two tournaments.

"But being able to qualify outside the group would be a massive step, accelerate us further and give us more belief than we've already got."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Not that he had much choice, but Steve Clarke must be crossing his fingers about the fitness and match sharpness of some of the players in his provisional squad.

Grant Hanley has played eight minutes since 6 March. Ryan Jack has not played since 7 March.

Stuart Armstrong has not played since 20 April. And then there's Ben Doak, a flying machine when fit, which he hasn't been for a while.

Doak has not played for Liverpool since 14 December. Clarke must have had encouraging updates about him, though, or else he wouldn't be near this squad.

Uncapped Liverpool winger Ben Doak, 18, is the big surprise in the provisional 28-man Scotland squad named by Steve Clarke for Euro 2024.

Another uncapped player, Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie, has also been picked and Celtic winger James Forrest – who won the last of his 36 caps in June 2021 – earns a recall.

Clarke has until 7 June to trim the squad to 26 players.

Follow all the reaction here.

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The big day is almost upon us. On Wednesday we find out which Scotland players we will be cheering to glory in Germany.

Well, something like that. Steve Clarke is due to announce his 28-man training squad for the European Championship in the morning and you can catch all the build-up, news and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Follow our live text from 10:00 BST as we gear up for the big announcement. Will there be a few wildcards? Will there be a shock omission?

Stick with us to find out. And watch Clarke explain his reasoning too as we will live stream the manager's press conference, which is slated to begin at 12:30, on BBC iPlayer as well as the BBC Sport website and app.

Who will fill the right-back slot? Will James Forrest succeed in his late quest for a ticket to Germany? Has Harvey Barnes defected north? Will Clarke actually name four goalkeepers?

All will be revealed on Wednesday. See you then.

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Stephen McGinn believes Steve Clarke will name Celtic fringe player Anthony Ralston as one of the right-backs in his Euro 2024 squad, but insists another option must have more game time.

Clarke is unable to name regulars Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson due to injury, leaving Scotland without an obvious solution in that position.

"Anthony Ralston will go," McGinn told the BBC's Scottish football podcast. "I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't go.

"He does a great job for Celtic any time he's called upon. He's done very well in the couple of appearances he's had for Scotland."

Ross McCrorie, Max Johnston, Danny Armstrong, Lewis Mayo and Stephen O'Donnell have also been mentioned in the right-back reckoning.

"The other guy has got to have been playing regularly," Falkirk captain McGinn added. "It's too much to have two right-backs going that haven't been playing. You need someone that's played the full season."

The former St Mirren man stressed that whoever gets the nod, they will be comfortable in knowing their task.

"What I would say is in the last year or two, my brother [Paul], he came on [at right-back] and I know, from the stress of watching it, how comfortable he was going in.

"The beauty for anyone going to this Euros and playing in Steve Clarke's system is you're so well coached, you're so well prepared.

"We've got a top coach, a top manager. Whoever's selected is going to know their job inside out."

• Listen to the full episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.

The BBC pundits have made their Scotland squad picks - now it's your turn.

Should resurgent Celtic winger James Forrest earn a recall? Is Sturm Graz's Max Johnston the man to fill the right-back void?

Might Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller or Liverpool flier Ben Doak be a good wildcard choice? Which three goalkeepers should make the cut?

While the core of Steve Clarke's player pool for Euro 2024 looks pretty nailed on, there are still a few places up for grabs ahead of Wednesday's squad announcement.

We want to know who you think should be on the plane to Germany - so share your views here., external

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Max Johnston admits it would be a dream come true to receive the call-up to Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the Euros.

With Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson confirmed to miss the tournament, the Sturm Graz right-back has been touted to make the plane for Germany.

"I've got my fingers crossed," the 20-year-old told Sky Sports, external.

"To represent my country at the Euros would be a huge dream of mine. We'll see when the squad comes out on Wednesday. That would just top off a great season.

"We've got such a talented team and they've put so much work in the past year or 18 months, so they can go as far as they want [in the Euros] if they just go and show."

Johnston has gone from a breakthrough season at Motherwell last term to becoming an Austrian Bundesliga champion at the weekend, having already won the domestic cup.

He says seeing other talented Scots make the move abroad gave him the necessary confidence to step outside his comfort zone.

"I've really enjoyed coming over to Austria, it's been a different challenge," he said.

"To do the double in my first season is amazing.

"I'd seen Scottish players move abroad - Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey. They had some real success and that's what encouraged me to take the step."

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Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark believes he has "probably done enough" to earn a call-up to the Scotland squad for the Euros.

The 31-year-old made 35 league appearances as the the Tynecastle side romped to third place in the Scottish Premiership.

With Hearts' season over, Clark can only wait for the call to know whether he will be on the plane to Germany.

“It’s out of our hands now, it’s the manager’s decision," he said.

“I feel that, over the course of the season, I’ve probably done enough but I don’t want to count the chickens before they are hatched.

“We’ll wait and see. It was good to get back on the grass on Saturday and turn in a decent enough performance.

“I’ve been happy [with form] and it helps when the team is doing well

“It gives you that bit of confidence. I’ve been delighted with the contributions I’ve made throughout the season.

"When you finish the season so highly in the league and so well it’s always pleasing."

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Max Johnston will be in Steve Clarke's considerations to alleviate Scotland's right-back crisis at the Euros, says former Aberdeen and Rangers defender Richard Foster.

The 20-year-old defender celebrated winning the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz on Sunday to end Red Bull Salzburg's decade-long dominance of the division.

Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson look increasingly unlikely to make the plane to Germany with significant injury troubles.

Foster - who worked with Johnston at Motherwell - believes the youngster's physical attributes could help with the step up to senior international football.

"We've gone from a position of real strength in that area to coming up with a name to put in," he said on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think his physical attributes are very impressive. I think physically he can go and compete at that level. Quick, strong, powerful.

"He came back to Motherwell and he transformed himself into a machine. He was brilliant - great pace, great energy, great change of direction and change of speed.

"Technically, he's good enough, but I still think there's more improvement from him . Of course there is, he's relatively young.

"He plays for the 21s, he's in and around it. Why not [take him to the Euros]? We're taking 26 players.

"Steve Clarke will be aware of him, of course he will be, but he'll also be considering him I would imagine."