Scotland Men's Football Team

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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."

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon hopes to crown his comeback from a double leg break by earning a recall to the Scotland squad when Steve Clarke names his 26-man pool for Euro 2024 next Wednesday.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke says "one of the best achievements" of his five-year tenure has been getting the public re-engaged with the national team.

Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron could be a surprise inclusion in Scotland's Euro 2024 squad. (Sun), external

Callum McGregor believe Celtic team-mate James Forrest could be the solution to Scotland's right-back quandary. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip

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With each passing day, Euro 2024 feels more real - and looking at the squads of Scotland's fellow Group A nations is certainly playing a part.

Tournament hosts, and the Scots' opening matchday opponents, Germany are the latest to announce their selection.

Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer, club team-mate Jamal Musiala and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos are included in a squad littered with world-class talent.

Former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, Brighton's Pascal Gross and Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz also feature.

Kroos, 34, announced his international retirement in July 2021 but reversed the decision in March following talks with head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Neuer has not played for his country since 2022 after breaking his leg following the Qatar World Cup.

Bayern Munich duo Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry miss out while Tottenham striker Timo Werner is absent with a hamstring injury.

Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt have been key figures in Borussia Dortmund's run to the Champions League final but are omitted from the 27-man squad, which will be reduced to 26 after Germany's friendly matches against Ukraine and Greece in June.

Hungary, who also feature in Group A, announced their squad this week, which includes the likes of Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and RB Leipzig duo Peter Gulacsi and Willi Orban.

Scotland striker Che Adams, 27, is in talks with Wolves over a free transfer when his Southampton contract expires at the end of the season. (Football Transfers), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland captain Andrew Robertson is expected to be fit for Liverpool's final game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The left-back was left out of his club's game against Aston Villa on Monday night as a precaution, with the European Championship starting in four weeks' time.

Robertson played last week against Tottenham Hotspur, scoring in Liverpool's 4-2 win.

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Four weeks on Friday.

We're heading into the final month of Scotland's preparations before they kick off Euro 2024 against host nation Germany.

What better time to see who's on form and who's looking suspect ahead of the plane taking off?

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There was a time where both Celtic and Scotland fans worried whether Callum McGregor would contribute again this season, and in turn, this summer.

But as his side moved to the brink of yet another Scottish Premiership title with victory over rivals Rangers, the midfielder showed just how much he's got left in the tank.

McGregor was tireless, charging into duels and setting the tempo. All being well, Scotland have plentiful options in central midfield, but none of them quite have the profile of the Celtic captain.

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The regular English Championship season may be over, but that means the play-offs are in full swing.

Good news and bad news comes from the south coast. While Ross Stewart's return to fitness gives Steve Clarke another forward option, Che Adams was missing from the Southampton squad in their goalless first-leg draw at West Brom.

Manager Russell Martin says the striker should be back on Friday. And Russell Martin wouldn't lie to the Tartan Army, would he?

There was another stalemate in East Anglia, as Norwich City's Kenny McLean and Angus Gunn notched a clean sheet at home to Leeds United.

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Now to the question on everyone's minds - what's going on at right-back?

While Thomas Frank believes Aaron Hickey's Euro chances aren't great, there aren't many options kicking around.

Max Johnston has had to make do with a role from the bench at Sturm Graz, while Stephen O'Donnell has experience in the role for the national team, with his Motherwell team having scored nine goals in their last two outings.

Another wildcard option being touted by some is Danny Armstrong, whose impressive goal contributions have helped Kilmarnock on their way to securing Europa League football this past weekend.

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Now, some are sceptical of looking stateside when it comes to Scotland. We've all been involved in the Ryan Gauld debate at some point in our lives.

But a different midfielder is lighting up the MLS. Remember Lewis Morgan?

The former St Mirren man has scored eight goals in 12 games for New York Red Bulls. Form that might just force Clarke to cast an eye over the Atlantic.

Back in Europe, Kieran Tierney got some valuable minutes under his belt, coming off the bench in Real Sociedad's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona.

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Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie has set his sights on a Scotland call-up after lauding the work interim manager Peter Leven has done in improving his game (Sunday Post, print only)

Read the rest of today's gossip here