Scotland Men's Football Team

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."

German comedian Henning Wehn is no longer fearing another "major embarrassment" for his country at Euro 2024 on home soil as they look to qualify from a group that includes Scotland.

Listen to Sacked in the Morning's Euros preview podcast on BBC Sounds

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Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents Switzerland warmed up for the finals by easing to a 4-0 home win over Estonia.

The Swiss led by a goal at the break in Luzern thanks to Steven Zuber's 20th-minute strike.

Murat Yakin's men stepped up the intensity in the second half and Zeki Amdouni and Nico Elvedi netted before former Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri wrapped up the scoring with a penalty.

The Swiss, who join Scotland, hosts Germany and Hungary in Group A at Euro 2024, play their final warm-up game at home to Austria on Saturday.

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Shooting drills are planned for the Scotland squad by head coach Steve Clarke as they seek to address a lack of "confidence". (Herald - subscription), external

Andy Robertson remains committed to Liverpool, although the 30-year-old has not yet spoken to new manager Arne Slot amid reported interest in the Scotland captain and left-back from Bayern Munich. (TeamTalk), external

Scotland qualified 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray is among up to six high-profile players to leave Leeds United this summer after their failure to win promotion back to the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann described his side's friendly against Ukraine as "perfect in view of the games that await us in the group phase" despite Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents being held to a 0-0 home draw.

The hosts, who open the tournament next week against Steve Clarke's side, had raised expectations after recent wins over France and the Netherlands.

But they spurned a number of chances in Nuremberg against the side ranked 22nd in the world, particularly during a dominant second-half.

"You'd prefer to win," Nagelsmann said. "But the most important factor is that I want to see a team that wants to win. Today, we wanted that victory."

Taking over late last year after Hansi Flick became the first national coach in Germany history to be sacked, Nagelsmann won just one of his first four games.

He shook up his squad in response, leaving out 11 players and bringing back 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who had retired from international duty in 2021.

Nagelsmann also turned to players on form with domestic title winners Bayer Leverkusen and runners-up Stuttgart rather than traditional sources Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Germany, who won only three games in 11 outings last year and have slipped to 16th in the world rankings, have now won four, drawn two and lost two under the 36-year-old former Bayern team boss.

Veteran Bayern forward Thomas Mueller, heading into his fourth Euros, said there was "no reason to be nervous" despite the goalless draw as Germany look to improve on two group stage World Cup exits in a row and a loss to England in the last 16 of the Euros in 2021.

Germany, who face Greece in their final friendly on Friday in Moenchengladbach, were without four players, including fulcrum Kroos, who played with Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final, against Ukraine.

Debutant Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier went close to breaking the deadlock, while 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz, from Leverkusen, and Jamal Musiala, of Bayern, showed they can form a dangerous attacking combination from midfield.

Other Nagelsmann selections, including midfielder Chris Fuehrich and left-back Maximilian Mittelstaedt, both of Stuttgart, also impressed.

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Hungary head coach Marco Rossi could not believe his side's 15-match unbeaten run was ended with a 2-1 defeat by Republic of Ireland as they warmed up for their Euro 2024 finals meeting with Scotland.

The 35th-minute opening goal was made in Scotland as Adam Idah, the Norwich City striker who ended the season on loan to Celtic, headed past goalkeeper Peter Gulasci from a cross by Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone.

The visitors were level five minutes later when a deflected long-range shot from captain Dominik Szoboszlai, the Liverpool midfielder, was flicked on by RB Leipzig centre-back Willi Orban and Omonia defender Adam Lang arrived at the far post to blast into the roof of the net.

However, against the run of play, Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott broke clear to seal victory in stoppage time.

Rossi, whose side dominated for long periods without troubling Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher unduly, said: "We were not satisfied even with the draw in minute 91.

"We had several chances to win this match. Of course, we made some mistakes, but I think Ireland had two chances and they scored both.

"Okay, we wanted to win, but every time if it's not possible to win, we have to accept the draw.

"Despite the fact that we were coming from 14 matches without defeat, we are not England or Germany. Like I have mentioned several times, we are in a process, we are growing up."

Rossi was without several players for the match in Dublin.

Fehérvár defender Attila Fiola is not completing full training sessions for the time being but is expected to play against Israel on Saturday.

Kecskeméti midfielder Krisztofer Horvath is also struggling with a minor injury, while Servette's Bendegúz Bolla and fellow midfielder Dániel Gazdag, of Philadelphia Union, only joined the squad on Monday due to club commitments.

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A makeshift striker could be in Steve Clarke’s squad already, according to ex-Scotland winger Pat Nevin.

A close friend of Clarke from their playing days at Chelsea, Nevin feels the head coach's ability to "adapt certain players and get things out of them we didn’t expect" backs up his view.

"All of a sudden, Scott McTominay became a great number 10," Nevin told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme.

"Clarke's also created a system that's allowed Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney to play in the same team, so an emergency centre-forward might be in the group already."

Talk about a call-up for Under-21 striker Tommy Conway has intensified after Clarke confirmed the Bristol City forward is "at the front" of his mind to potentially replace the injured Lyndon Dykes.

But Nevin struggles to see a scenario where two youngsters in the form of teenager Ben Doak and Conway make the final squad.

"You get the feeling it’s either going to be a Conway or a Doak, one of the two," he says.

"I know they’re completely different players, but Che Adams is probably our number one choice anyway."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Zander Clark says it was a "real honour" to see his name in Scotland's provisional Euro 2024 squad and now the Hearts goalkeeper is eyeing a place in the final 26.

Clark played the entirety of the 2-0 friendly win over Gibraltar on Monday, his fourth cap.

The 31-year-old, who is one of four keepers in the squad, had limited involvement in the game with the opposition managing just one shot on target.

But, having established himself as number one at Hearts, Clark hopes he has shown enough at both club level and in Scotland training to justify a place in the final squad.

"It's always a real honour to see your name on that list," he said. "It’s a provisional list, it’s then up to the ones who are selected to show the manager what they can do.

"Obviously [Monday] wasn’t a real opportunity in terms of goalkeeping, but in training and throughout the season I feel I've been doing pretty well.

"If you can get the nod like I did [on Monday], it’s about making sure it's a zero for the opposition.

"I just need to keep focused on myself and make sure I'm in the manager's thoughts."

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Captain Andy Robertson has revealed Lyndon Dykes will remain part of the Scotland squad in Germany despite injury ruling the striker out of Euro 2024.

Dykes, 28, was named in Steve Clarke’s provisional squad before sustaining an injury in training last Friday that has scuppered his involvement.

“I’ve spoken with Lyndon. I didn’t tell him to stay in camp, because that has to be his own choice,” Robertson told Sky Sports.

“But to be fair to the big man, he’s keen to come and he wants to be involved. He doesn’t want to miss out, his family are all booked up.

“I’ve spoken with his wife when she was in the hotel and she’s still determined on coming. It’s great for us because Lyndon is a big part of what we do. He plays a big part off the field as well.

“Although he can’t contribute on the pitch, he can contribute off it. If the big man wants to do that then it’s happy days for us because he really is a massive part of our squad. So I’m delighted he’s going to come.

“I’d love to have him on the pitch but the next best thing is with us off it.”

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Scotland must work on being "a bit more clinical" for Euro 2024, says midfielder Ryan Christie.

Steve Clarke's side passed up a flurry of golden chances in a laboured friendly win over Gibraltar on Monday until Christie netted the opener.

The goal was the Bournemouth man's first international strike in almost two years and was followed by a second from Che Adams.

Christie said he was "frustrated" with a big chance he missed in the first half but expressed his "relief" at getting on the scoresheet after the break.

"I was probably due one for my country," he said. "It had been a been a while, the gaffer mentioned that earlier in the week.

"So it's nice to get back on the scoresheet personally, but team wise it's important to get the win and start building momentum again.

"We could have been two or three up at half-time and been a bit more clinical. That's something we need to work on going into the Finland game and Germany.

"But we stayed patient. It was tough conditions with the heat and the dry pitch. Overall it was a successful night and there's plenty to build on."

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Promoting Tommy Conway up to Steve Clarke's provisional Euro 2024 squad is a "no-brainer" for ex-Scotland striker Lee Miller.

Following the news Lyndon Dykes will miss the tournament with an ankle injury, Clarke has said Bristol City striker Conway is under consideration to replace the Queens Park Rangers forward.

Conway scored 12 club goals last season, almost double the amount of Dykes' tally of seven, and netted on Monday night for the Under-21s in their friendly defeat away to Turkey.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, a lack of clinical edge was on show during the senior side's laboured friendly win over Gibraltar.

On what Conway offers, Miller says he is a "livewire" who "links up well" and "plays with a bit of swagger".

"For me it's a no-brainer, I think you put Conway in," former Aberdeen and Hearts striker added on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Bring him into the environment, see how he gets on with the players, see how he strikes up partnerships and relationships.

"These youngsters in the first team play with the safety catch off, they play with a freedom and they don't tense up.

"I think he'll get thrown in and I don't see why he shouldn't."

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From wanting more from a debutant and a lack of clinical edge, to what it means - if anything - going forward, here's what the Sportsound pundits made of Scotland's friendly win over Gibraltar on Monday...

Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson: "Stopping that winless run was important, but how much confidence are you going to take from that? It couldn't be more removed from what the Germany game is going to look like.

"I'm hoping on Friday against Finland we get more energy. I hope we see the Scotland team that got us to the tournament in the first place.

"Friday will be a better game, a better test. It's about peaking at a specific moment, it's a difficult thing to do. That's the balancing act."

Ex-Scotland defender Willie Miller: "Ross McCrorie can have a real influence when he's positive, but I think he took the easy option too often. That's a position that's up for grabs. I wish he had done more, because he's capable of more.

"I think Steve Clarke will be disappointed they didn't take more of the chances created. There were two very good goals, though, and a boost for Ryan Christie and Che Adams.

"You're looking for Lawrence Shankland scoring, which is disappointing. He would have hoped to get a goal or two. Adams did what a striker needs to do and that's scoring."