Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson will require surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season, confirms Everton boss Sean Dyche.

The 22-year-old hobbled off in the Goodison Park club's thrashing by Chelsea on Monday, leaving his Euro 2024 hopes in doubt as part of Steve Clarke's squad.

With Aaron Hickey deemed unlikely to feature for Brentford this season, Scotland's two most favoured right-backs face a race against time to be fit for the tournament.

"He'll be out for the season," Dyche said.

"He'll need surgery, [it's a] very unfortunate injury. We're disappointed in that one for him, as well as us.

Image source, Lewis Ferguson

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson says his knee operation was a success.

The Bologna captain's involvement in Euro 2024 this summer is in doubt after he suffered a cruciate ligament injury against Monza.

The former Aberdeen midfielder posted a picture on Instagram of himself with team-mates Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye from his hospital bed after his surgery.

"Successful op and these guys in to give me a laugh," the 24-year-old wrote.

Ferguson has been a regular in Steve Clarke's squad over the past year.

"Devastated with today's news but that's life. I will do everything to come back better and stronger than before," he said last week.

Steven Pressley, head of player development at Aaron Hickey's club Brentford, says the right-back is "making good progress" in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is determined to be fit to feature for Scotland at Euro 2024.

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Ryan Fraser's omission from the Scotland set-up is "baffling", says Tom Deacon, the host of BBC's Saints and Sinners Southampton podcast.

The 30-year-old last featured for his national team in 2022, but has had a stellar season under Russell Martin at St Mary's.

With eight goals and three assists in all competitions, the forward has proved doubters wrong and been integral to Southampton's promotion push, according to Deacon.

"Ryan Fraser arriving at Southampton, there was a bit of trepidation," he told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He'd fallen out of favour at Newcastle. Do we really want a player that apparently is a disruptive force?

"But he's been the complete opposite. He's galvanised our team. He's ot speed, bravery, goals. We just love him.

"And I don't know if it's allowed, but he's the wee man down in Southampton. We didn't name him that, but we've adopted him into Southampton and we want him to stay.

"As a Southampton fan, watching Ryan Fraser play so well in the Championship, I'm just baffled why he wouldn't be a potential squad player for Scotland.

"Just someone who can again come off the bench and turn things up, because that's what he's done in the Championship.

"He's had match-winning goals. I think it was at Millwall, came on, got us the win and we absolutely love and adore him for that. I'm just curious why he would have fallen out of favour, because we love him."

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The "devastating timing" of Lewis Ferguson's serious injury is likely to rule the Bologna midfielder out of the Euros, says Italian football journalist Alasdair MacKenzie.

Ferguson's season appears to be over after the 24-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the weekend, which could prove to be a blow to both club and country.

"Lewis himself, the club and the fans were hoping that it wasn't going to be quite as serious an injury as it is, but for now that's his season over," MacKenzie told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"That chance of going to the Euros is over and to be honest, it's just really devastating timing for the guy considering how incredible the season he has just had.

"Bologna have never qualified for the Champions League before, so for them to be where they are is already fairly miraculous in itself, ahead of much better funded teams and bigger names than they'll necessarily have.

"They've been playing really good football too, but Ferguson has been completely at the heart of that. He's started every single game so far this season.

"He's really the all-round package because he's offering that leadership role, but he has been covering a lot of distance. I think he's still the second most [distance covered], on average, of any player in Serie A.

"[He's] someone who has attracted interest from Juventus. That's been talked about quite a lot recently, but a lot of big clubs in Italy are supposed to be looking at him as well.

"That's the double-edged sword with this - not only the fact that it's season's over, but obviously that puts a lot of doubt into what the future holds."

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

It's just over eight weeks until Scotland kick off Euro 2024 with host nation Germany in Munich.

Which reminds me, I really need to order my kilt.

But before that, let's have a gander at how Steve Clarke's hopefuls are getting on as they look to rubberstamp their spot on the plane.

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Unfortunately, we have to start with the bad news. Lewis Ferguson's summer plans are in disarray with the Bologna captain set to undergo surgery for an injury to his cruciate ligament.

The 24-year-old midfielder was subbed off in the 62nd minute of his Champions League-chasing side's goalless draw with Monza on Saturday.

His recovery time is to be assessed after the operation, but it looks highly unlikely Ferguson will be fit for the Euros.

Nathan Patterson also hobbled off as Everton were battered by Chelsea on Monday night, with the extent of his injury yet to be revealed.

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Let's look on the brighter side with one of Scotland's great personalities, who just so happens to be an outstanding footballer.

John McGinn absolutely bossed title contenders Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon as Aston Villa set a new club record for most Premier League wins in a season (19).

He wasn't the only Scot to dictate things in the middle of the park in the English top flight last weekend. Ryan Christie was named player of the match as his Bournemouth side played out a frantic draw with Manchester United, with the former Celtic man winning the most duels of any player on the park.

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It's not often two Scotland internationals score in the same game down south, but that's exactly what happened in Southampton's thrilling win over Watford.

Che Adams gave the Saints a two-goal lead with a stabbed finish, before Ryan Porteous pulled one back for the visitors when his piledriver was deflected into the back of the net.

A far more regular occurrence is Lawrence Shankland getting on the scoresheet for Hearts. The Scottish Premiership's top scorer did so again courtesy of a penalty in a 4-2 over Livingston on Saturday, while also grabbing two assists.

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Less impressive was the Tynecastle goalkeeper though, as Craig Gordon perhaps displayed some ring rust in his first league start in 16 months. The veteran goalkeeper was caught in no man's land for Livingston's opener as Zander Clark watched on from the bench.

Elsewhere in between the sticks, Liam Kelly impressed in Motherwell's 1-1 draw with Hibs, while Angus Gunn notched his 11th clean sheet of the English Championship season in Norwich City's 1-0 win at Preston North End.

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Lewis Ferguson's involvement in this summer's Euros is in doubt after the Scotland midfielder was diagnosed with a cruciate ligament injury.

The Bologna captain was substituted during Saturday's goalless draw against Monza, and will now undergo an operation on his knee.

"Devastated with today's news but that's life," Ferguson wrote on Instagram.

"I will do everything to come back better and stronger than before. Thank you all for the support. See you soon."

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Aaron Hickey may not feature for the rest of the domestic season, says Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

The Scotland international has been missing since suffering an injury in the London side's 2-0 over capital rivals Chelsea in October.

Steve Clarke's side don't boast a favourable record without the right-back, who last featured for Scotland in the 2-0 loss to Spain in Seville.

That result has been followed up by three defeats and two draws - though Scotland had already qualified for the Euros ahead of their final two qualifiers, before friendlies with The Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

Hickey's position on the plane to Germany could be in question, with the possibility the defender will have gone eight months without a competitive game when Scotland kick-off against Germany on 14 June.

Frank said: “I think I saw him run out on the grass today. I don’t expect him to be available before the end of the season so it’s a big positive if he is.”

Norwich City defender Grant Hanley is hopeful of a return from injury in time to make Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for Euro 2024.

Hanley, who has been capped 48 times for his country, has only been involved in nine games this campaign after a disrupted return from a serious Achilles injury sustained at the end of last season.

"It might sound a bit cliche, but you've got to be playing at your club, and you’ve got to be playing well," Hanley told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"I've not got much time to do that, but hopefully I can get back involved before the end of the season. Hopefully I can get involved with the play-offs and let's see what happens.

"The decision was ‘do I carry on not being able to perform, or do I take a step back and improve physically?’

"I've experienced a major competition before with Scotland and the downside to that one was it was during Covid when the stadium capacities were majorly reduced.

"It was still an unbelievable experience, probably one of the best experiences of my career, but this one's proper, playing the hosts in the opening game in Munich.

"So obviously that would be an unbelievable thing to be involved in."

Arsenal plan to sell left-back Kieran Tierney on the 26-year-old Scotland international's return from his season-long loan with Real Sociedad. (TeamTalk), external

Tierney, who has two years left of his contract, has no idea what his future holds at the end of his spell with Sociedad and pointed out that William Saliba is the only player who has been sent away on loan by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta then returned as a starter. (TalkSport), external

Lawrence Shankland insists he does not have nightmares about his miss while playing for Scotland in the 4-0 defeat by the Netherlands. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

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With Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour both currently out injured, there were fewer Scotland internationals on show in the Premier League over the weekend, but a couple still managed to catch the eye.

John McGinn set up Ollie Watkins' opener for Aston Villa on Saturday, but their thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford saw them drop out of the league's top four, after Spurs beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

We mentioned Oli McBurnie last week and he found the net again for Sheffield United, with his dramatic late goal earning Chris Wilder's side a point against Chelsea at Bramall Lane.

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In the English Championship, Che Adams came off the bench during Southampton's disappoint goalless draw away to Blackburn Rovers, while his compatriot Stuart Armstrong missed the trip to Ewood Park with a concussion.

Angus Gunn and Kenny McLean both started as Norwich City beat Ipswich Town 1-0 in the East Anglian derby at Carrow Road, a result which helps the Canaries' push for a play-off spot.

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Meanwhile, Lewis Ferguson's Bologna side drew 0-0 away to Frosinone in Serie A, but remain on course to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League.

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There is some good news for Scotland fans who were left sweating over Andy Robertson hobbling off during the international break.

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Robertson is available for Liverpool in their game against Sheffield United on Wednesday, after missing out at the weekend.

The left-back suffered an ankle injury in Scotland's game against Northern Ireland last week, but his quick return alleviates any concerns about his fitness ahead of the Euros.

BBC Sport Scotland's Thomas Duncan says the upcoming fixtures for Scotland are "massive" and it’s "an absolutely critical campaign for the national team and Pedro Martinez Losa".

Listen to more on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Scotland Under-19s head coach Billy Stark has announced his decision to retire at the end of this month, and believes the future is bright for the national team.

Stark's impressive playing career saw him turn out for St Mirren, Aberdeen, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Hamilton, before he managed at clubs such as Morton, St Johnston and Queen’s Park.

He had a spell as Scotland Under-21s manager, before taking up his current post in 2018.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the best young players in Scotland throughout my two spells at the association," Stark said.

“I would like to thank the staff and players who have helped me throughout the years.

“Regarding our most recent group, we are proud of the achievement to qualify for the elite round and, although it was disappointing not to progress to the finals, the players in this group will be better for the experience and I am certain we will see them continue to flourish in the future.”

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A collective gulp could just about be heard across Scotland when Billy Gilmour posted a picture of himself in a knee brace on Sunday afternoon.

The photo showed the Brighton midfielder sitting down to watch his team lose narrowly at Anfield against a Liverpool side who were missing his international captain, Andy Robertson.

The pair suffered injuries in Scotland's friendly defeat to Northern Ireland last week, with Robertson expected to return fairly soon and Gilmour reported to be out for a month.

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From the Premier League to the Championship, Scotland duo Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong contributed to the Southampton goals in a chaotic game at Ipswich on Monday night.

Adams levelled the scoring before his club and international team-mate provided for namesake Adam Armstrong to put their side ahead at Portman Road.

But that wasn't enough to steer the away side to victory - or even a point - as Ipswich scored twice after the break, including a 97th minute winner, to seal a dramatic win and dent Southampton's slim automatic promotion hopes.

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Finally, we jump back up the Premier League.

Whisper it quietly, but do you remember that Oli McBurnie guy? Yeah, he was pretty good on Saturday.

It would be fair to say the Sheffield United striker, who hasn't featured for Scotland in more than three years, isn't too popular with a lot of the Tartan Army.

But he increased his goal tally for the season by scoring, as well as having one chalked off and assisting another, in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Fulham.

That's now five goals and three assists in 17 games this term in what we are regularly told is Europe's top league.

Is it worth Steve Clarke having a conversation?

Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour is expected to return to action in three to four weeks after missing Brighton & Hove Albion's defeat by Liverpool with a knee injury picked up while on international duty. (Daily Record), external

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has accused critics of Flower of Scotland of being "oversensitive" and backed the unofficial national anthem written by the late Corries frontman Roy Williamson in the mid-1960s. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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