Scotland Men's Football Team

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Lawrence Shankland's persistence is paying off with the Scotland striker finding his smile as part of the national team, says Steve Clarke.

The Hearts captain cut a frustrated figure at Hampden Park on Friday after spurning a couple of half-chances, following on for a quiet outing against Gibraltar earlier in the week.

But his second-half header seemed to lift the weight off Shankland's shoulders, with Clarke praising his desire to grab goals even when things aren't going his way.

“He give me a big smile when he came off,” the Scotland boss said. “I think he was happy.

“That’s important. Listen, strikers live on goals. Lawrence was a little bit frustrated, I think, after the Gibraltar game because any chances that fell didn’t fall to him.

“But he kept getting in there and eventually got his head on one and a good finish."

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Steve Clarke believes Anthony Ralston's possession-based training at Celtic could help Scotland at the Euros.

The right-back started in Friday's 2-2 draw against Finland, with Ross McCrorie in from the off during Monday's meeting with Gibraltar.

With Brendan Rodgers doing keep-ball practice in Celtic training, Clarke believes those principles bled over into Ralston's international outing.

“He was good,” the Scotland boss said. “Start of the game, he was quite safe but kept the ball.

"He obviously plays with a team, a club side who who pass the ball a lot, so I’d imagine their training sessions are pretty much possession based.

"I know Brendan’s (Rodgers) training sessions will be possession-based, so he’s good on the ball, keeps the ball, doesn’t give it away too many times.

“He started to get in the right position, got a few balls into the box, few decent crosses and I was pleased with Tony.”

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Andy Robertson's thoughtfulness towards his Scotland team-mates makes the defender a "proper captain", says head coach Steve Clarke.

The Liverpool left-back earned his 49th cap with the armband in Friday's draw with Finland - a record for a male Scotland international.

But Clarke says the 30-year-old is far from done while praising the lengths the skipper goes to in ensuring the group remain close.

“He didn’t get a special shirt because he’s definitely not finished,” he said. “I think 49 games as captain is now the record.

“He’s been great for me. He got the captaincy at a really young age but he’s grown into the role. He’s a proper leader.

“So what I’m saying about handing out strips, Tommy Conway got a signed strip with number one on the back and 50 for Grant Hanley, 75 for for Craig. These things come from the captain. It’s his idea.

“It’s his thoughts that are going into this and saying 'this is what we’re about, let’s keep the group tight, make sure that we’re always giving these little mementoes.'"

“Super performance from Andy. Always on the front foot. Proper captain.”

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A lot has been made about the special spirit in the Scotland camp.

As Lyndon Dykes put it on BBC Radio Scotland, the players would rush to sign up permanently if the national team were a club side.

Although, he did joke a few of them would have to take a hefty pay cut.

But who are the best characters in the dressing room? The QPR striker told the Sportsound team who to keep an eye on....

McTominay on the mic, Kelly on the cards

On John McGinn: "Everyone knows about John McGinn, obviously. He's the life and soul of the boys. He's some character, he's got a great personality on him.

"He's always got puns coming out left, right and centre. I think he must sit in his room and think about things he's going to say the next day because I don't know where he pulls them from."

On Liam Kelly: "A dark horse I would chuck in there is Liam Kelly. He's very lively around the squad. We've got a little poker game going on there, music blaring from Kieran Tierney.

On Scott McTominay: "Big Scott McTominay is a good guy to be around. He keeps himself to himself but comes out when he needs to.

"He loves a sing-song. Me and him had to get up and start singing after a training session because Scotty brought one of the buses back from the training ground and we left all the boys there."

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Celtic are considering re-signing Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong, 32, following his release by Southampton. (Football Insider), external

Scotland coach Steve Clarke is confident Celtic's possession-based football will help Anthony Ralston integrate into the national team at Euro 2024 without any problem. (Herald - subscription), external

Germany great Philipp Lahm urges the current side to start Euro 2024 with an "emphatic" win over Scotland. (Herald - subscription), external

Meanwhile, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is sweating over forward Niclas Fullkrug's fitness. (Sun), external

Hibernian are interested in Ipswich Town's Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, 21, but face competition from Kilmarnock. (Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Planes, trains and automobiles - we want to know how you're travelling to Germany to be part of Scotland's Euro 2024 adventure.

Are you and your pals packing into a run-down car? Are you flying to some wild location and then travelling on from there?

Whatever your plans are, we want to hear them.

Get in touch. , external

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Hungary were in fine form in Debrecen and Switzerland fought back to draw as Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents ended their warm-up preparations.

Having lost to a last-minute goal in Ireland last time out, Hungary started brilliantly, albeit against under-strength Israeli visitors, and were 3-0 up to all but settle the game as a contest within 22 minutes.

Barnabas Varga rattled the bar with a spectacular scissor kick before the Ferencváros striker nodded a Bendeguez Bolla cross into the path of Freiburg winger Roland Sallai to slot home.

Midfielder Bolla, who had missed the defeat in Dublin after arriving late from club commitments with Servette, laid the second on a plate for Varga before Sallai returned the earlier favour by setting up Varga for his own second.

The only negative for Hungary was an injury to Callum Styles that led to the Sunderland midfielder being replaced just before the break.

Another late arrival to the squad, Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag, came on at half-time along with Attila Fiola on the Fehérvár defender's return from injury.

Head coach Marco Rossi was satisfied by the overall performance but expressed disappointment at the second-half drop off after Sallai and Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai were replaced and suggested improvements were needed.

Meanwhile, in St Gallen, Switzerland found themselves behind after just five minutes when Austria capitalised on loose possession and RB Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner ran through from deep inside his own half to side-foot past goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who started in one of four changes from the side that beat Estonia 4-0.

However, Silvan Widmer got Murat Yakin's side back on level terms just over 20 minutes later in an otherwise uneventful affair as goalkeeper Heinz Lindner spilled Ruben Vargas' angled shot straight into the path of the Mainz right-back to tap in.

Yakin, who had dropped Andi Zeqiri from his provisional squad but put the Genk striker on stand-by, was also forced into an early change when Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Steven Zuber went off injured three minutes before the break.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka said the Swiss, after the early concession, had not dominated a half as much for some time, but he and his team-mates were less satisfied with the second 45.

Hungary and Switzerland meet in Cologne the day after Scotland open the tournament against hosts Germany.

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Scotland's recent defensive woes are a "big issue" ahead of next week's Euros kick-off, says former international Willie Miller.

Steve Clarke's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine outings, coming on Monday against minnows Gibraltar.

While Scotland's torrid record in friendlies plays a part, Miller worries a lack of confidence could hamper the backline in Germany.

"Grant Hanley hasn't played a lot of games. He looked a little bit rusty to me," he told BBC Sportsound.

"Ryan Porteous will be disappointed, he hasn't had the opportunity to start in the last couple of games.

"I think Clarke likes Hanley and feels, in the competitive games coming up, he'll be sitting in there and defending on the edge of the box. He's the type of centre half that will win things and be that physical presence.

"We keep losing goals, that's a big issue at international level.

"When you go to a major tournament, you want to have confidence at the back, feeling good about the understanding there."

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Injured Scotland forward Lyndon Dykes says Steve Clarke isn't shy in joining in with squad mischief, but knows when to return to a more serious demeanour.

The Scotland boss often keeps his cards close to his chest in post-match interviews and has been characterised as stern by some onlookers.

But the QPR striker, who will miss Euro 2024 after suffering an ankle injury, told BBC Radio Scotland there's more than one side to Clarke.

"I know a different side to him," Dykes said.

"I might not have known him as long as other people, but I feel like we got on really well early doors.

"We had a great chat on the phone when he wanted me to come to Scotland. He was just being himself, like everyone sees on camera. He was very blunt and I like that. I liked him.

"I think we're a bit alike in some ways. Once he's comfortable in the camp he does crack a smile, I know a lot of the pundits probably don't think he does."

He added: "He's a very joking character when he needs to be. His man management is very good because he know when to give us a joke and a bit of a laugh, as well as golf and games.

"He's the first one in with us jumping around, but when it's serious he brings back that side of him that we need."

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Lawrence Shankland says the Scotland camp is buzzing as they finished their Euro 2024 preparations before jetting off to Germany.

The Hearts captain notched his third international cool with a close-range header in a 2-2 draw with Finland at Hampden on Friday.

After being maligned by some sections of the support in recent Scotland outings, Shankland is staying positive and looking ahead to next week's kick-off against the host national.

"It's great, it's always nice to get goals for your country, so it was a really nice feeling," he told BBC Scotland.

"First and foremost, you want to come through the game fit and send us in a strong way to Germany.

"The place is buzzing and so it should be, we all want to go to the tournament and enjoy it.

"For large parts we controlled the game. We did enough to win it, and everyone came through the game fit."

We asked for your thoughts as Scotland ended their Euro 2024 preparations with a 2-2 draw at home to Finland.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

John: Substitutions hampered the fluidity of the game. I understand why they were made, but they cost us a win. Billy Gilmour was the heartbeat of the team and I'm sure Scott McTominay. Unfortunately, Callum McGregor will be on the bench. Not convinced by Lawrence Shankland. Che Adams will lead the line next week.

Kuptin: Central defence looked iffy all night. No way was that a penalty - Craig Gordon clearly got to the ball first and punched it off the guy’s head. Bonkers decision.

Iain: The last two friendlies have just a tune up before the Euros, so not to much to read into. The main thing is to progress past the group stage and anything beyond that will be a bonus and will show how much Scotland have progressed.

Paul: The goals showed we can score. They weren't the best opposition in the world either but Finland aren't a bad side. I feel terrible for Gordon on what should be and likely will be his last cap for Scotland.

Ian: Overall, it was a decent performance. The one time over the last two games they actually gave Shankland some decent service, he scored. Lack of concentration cost us the win. Don't think it was a penalty as Gordon got the ball first.

Jim: They looked in fine fettle until the ref gave a ridiculous penalty which never was. Plenty of positives on show and can't wait till it all kicks off. Unfortunately will be watching from the armchair.

Craig: Gordon’s cameo was needless vanity, and cost us the win. Steve Clarke will need to be wiser and more ruthless in Germany.

Richard: Scotland do terrible in friendlies, but excellent in competitive games. If that trend continues, Germany will be in for a heck of an opening game.

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Another piece of Scotland history for Andy Robertson.

The Liverpool left-back became the men's national team most capped captain on Friday night, wearing the armband for the 49th time in a 2-2 draw with Finland.

Former Rangers defender George Young, whose caps came between 1946-1957, previously held the record.

Robertson marked the occasion in style, with his cross forcing Finland's own goal, before picking out his old Queen's Park team-mate Lawrence Shankland for the second.

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Tommy Conway says his grandfather will be looking down on him with pride after making his senior Scotland debut.

Drafted into the squad to ease an injury pile-up, the Bristol City striker was introduced off the bench in Friday's 2-2 draw at Hampden Park.

The 21-year-old had the opportunity to grab a late winner, but says he's saving his goals for the Euros while trying to comprehend his first bow on the international stage.

"It's surreal, it hasn't really sunk in yet," Conway told BBC Scotland.

"I know my Grandad will be looking down proud. My family are here as well, so a really proud day.

"Scott McTominay was asking my why I hadn't scored, but I said I'm saving them for next week.

"I'll be ready when called upon. To be going there is a big honour and when I get the opportunity I'm going to take it with both hands."

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• Scotland are now winless in four consecutive games at Hampden (D2 L2). It's their longest run without a home victory across all competitions since November 2008 (five games - D3 L2).

• After losing six of their first seven games against Scotland between 1954 and 1995 (D1), Finland have avoided defeat in each of their last two (1-1 in 1998 and 2-2 in 2024).

• Scotland haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four games at Hampden, their longest such run under Steve Clarke. They’ve only managed a shutout in one of their last nine matches (2-0 v Gibraltar).

• Three of Scotland's last six goals scored at Hampden have been own goals (Harry Maguire for England, Leo Ostigard for Norway and Arttu Hoskonen for Finland).

• Lawrence Shankland has scored in both of his starts for Scotland at Hampden, with those two games coming four years and 238 days apart (v San Marino in October 2019 and Finland in June 2024).

• Craig Gordon won his 75th cap for Scotland, becoming just the sixth player to reach this milestone, after Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton, Darren Fletcher, Alex McLeish and Paul McStay.

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Scotland and Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, 27, would "love" to return to former club Celtic and the Gunners are set to listen to offers over the summer. (Football Insider), external

Debutant Tommy Conway admits he will have nightmares about the late chance he missed in Scotland's 2-2 draw with Finland. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill admits there are no excuses for Friday's 5-0 defeat by Austria. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip