Scotland Men's Football Team

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

Not long to go now. Let's take a scoot round how Scotland's Euro hopefuls are getting on ahead of the Euros.

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The skipper's on a bit of a hot streak. Andy Robertson scored Liverpool's second in a 4-2 win over Tottenham to make it two goals in his last two Premier League games. No harm in heading to Germany with your shooting boots on.

Elsewhere in England, John McGinn was left frustrated as he had a goal chopped off in Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat to Billy Gilmour's Brighton.

There were some concerns when Ryan Porteous was missing from the Watford teamsheet on the final day of the season, but manager Tom Cleverley said the defender was only left out to avoid a potential suspension at the start of next season.

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North of the border, Lawrence Shankland just keeps on making history.

The Scottish Premiership top scorer became the second non-Old Firm man to be named PFA Scotland player of the year since 1990.

Can that give the Hearts striker even move confidence to end the season strongly before he gets his passport stamped?

The Tynecastle side will be looking to bounce back from defeat at Celtic, who have been buoyed by Callum McGregor's return to fitness.

Some feared whether the midfielder would make the Euros a few months ago, but the skipper seems to be getting back to his best as he aims to lift yet another league title.

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Our trips to the continent have tended to be dominated by Lewis Ferguson, who was just named the best midfielder in Serie A this season - so fair play!

But the Bologna captain's injury allows us to look elsewhere, and Josh Doig grabbed the spotlight this weekend.

The left-back assisted the Sassuolo goal that inflicted just a second league defeat of the season upon champions Inter Milan.

Who was the other loss to, I hear you ask? That would also be Sassoulo.

That bit of trivia might carry you through a pub quiz this summer if you're not jetting off to Germany.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke is considering calling up Liverpool's uncapped teenage attacker Ben Doak for the Euro 2024 finals while Bristol City's Ross McCrorie could be another inclusion. (Sun), external

Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley believes team-mate James Forrest deserves more respect and a Scotland recall for Euro 2024. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

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Uefa has announced that nations will be allowed 26-man squads for this summer's European Championship in Germany.

The European governing body's executive committee confirmed the increase from 23 players on Friday after the national competitions committee voted in favour of the change in April.

Teams were allowed 26-man squads at Euro 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 but Uefa had initially planned to revert to 23-strong groups at Euro 2024.

Expanded squads were also permitted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because it was played in the middle of the domestic season.

Participating teams do not have to name an extended squad but must submit a list of at least 23 players to Uefa by 7 June.

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Chris McLaughlin
BBC Scotland sports news correspondent

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Tickets for Scotland’s opening Euro 2024 match against Germany in June are being offered by online ticket resale companies for more than £12,000.

Uefa has warned fans that buy from unofficial outlets that they could be refused entry.

A total of 2.7 million tickets were made available for the competition, which runs from 14 June to 14 July.

The final public sale opened on Thursday with some fans complaining of technical errors due to high demand.

Scotland kicks off the competition with a match against hosts in Munich on 14 June.

The team then travels to face Switzerland in Cologne on 19 June before the final group match against Hungary in Stuttgart on 23 June.

The cheapest available tickets for the opening match are priced at £43 but some online resale companies are advertising the same tickets for £600.

• Read the full story here

Scotland manager Steve Clarke discusses his striker options for Euro 2024, with Hearts' Lawrence Shankland firmly in the mix.

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Scotland would lose a "massive player" if Scott McTominay were to miss the Euros, says Michael Grant of The Times.

There were fears the Manchester United midfielder may miss this summer's tournament after he left the field in discomfort in a 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday.

But the midfielder took to social media on Tuesday to say his injury is "nothing serious" and he hopes to be back "soon".

"There was a real 'pit of your stomach' feeling when we heard about McTominay," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It didn't look good. There was a rumour during the rounds yesterday that he was going to be out for three to four months."

"To have lost McTominay would have been an enormous blow to Scotland. Seven goals in qualifying last year. Just a massive, massive player and influence for us.

"If we're to do anything at this tournament, we need the key players, the absolute foundations of the side, and he's one of them."

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Has Billy Gilmour made himself one of the first names in Scotland's XI?

That’s the view of The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, who says the Brighton midfielder’s importance to Steve Clarke can’t be downplayed.

Gilmour left Chelsea in the summer of 2022 in search of more first-team football, but the influence of midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo made it difficult for the Scot to force his way into Roberto de Zerbi’s team last term.

That’s changed this season, though, with Gilmour playing a key role in the Brighton midfield prior to his recent injury, which he made a return from in Sunday’s Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.

And Campbell feels the 22-year-old's development this campaign has only elevated his status as a Scotland player.

"I don't even think you can overestimate how important Gilmour is now to Scotland," Campbell said on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Go back even two or three years ago, he cemented himself in the Scotland team, but it still felt like there were some games Clarke perhaps preferred somebody else.

"But with his development over the last couple of years at Brighton, he's now turning into the player everyone hoped he would become.

"He's done so well to navigate his career, to get out of there and go to a progressive club like Brighton. You've seen him transform his body. He looks like a Premier League athlete now.

"He can get around the pitch, he's really robust and it's massive for Scotland he's back because I think he's one of the first, if not the first name on the team sheet now."

There are "a lot of worries" around the Switzerland squad as they prepare to compete in Scotland's group at Euro 2024 this summer, says Swiss football expert Craig King.

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Suddenly James Forrest is Celtic's man of the moment, marking his first start in five months with a match-winning double at Dundee last Sunday.

He also contributed a goal off the bench in the Scottish Cup semi-final success the previous weekend and I’m surprised he hasn’t been back involved sooner and making more appearances. He’s been fit and Celtic have been having problems in the wide areas.

Brandan Rodgers recently said Forrest is the best winger in his squad – a statement I agree with – so why hasn’t he been involved more?

I’m not surprised he’s making the impact he’s making. And, without getting too carried away, the national team is suffering some injuries and the squads have been stretched to 26 players, so I think it’s a no-brainer to have him in the Scotland set-up for Euro 2024.

He makes things happen, he scores goals, he’s a good character, he’s got experience. He could even fill in as right wing-back as well.

I wouldn’t be looking for him there, I’d be looking at him as inside forward. Or, we don’t have natural width in the squad, whereas Forrest can do that.

Just for a number of reasons, it would be a sensible decision to include him. And what a fairytale end to the season that would be for him.

It’s very, very positive for Celtic that they’ve got someone like that, who almost feels like a new player for them, for the run-in as they chase a league and Scottish Cup double.

Look at last week's semi-final against Aberdeen. The wide areas were terrible. Aberdeen were brilliant at shutting Celtic down. When you’re playing against teams like that who are man to man and not giving you any time, you need guys in the wide areas that can go one-v-one, take people on and get in behind.

Forrest came on and made a difference because he has that quality to make things happen.

It’s a massive bonus for Celtic because there’s an edginess that creeps in when things are tight at this stage of the season and Forrest has got the experience and the talent.

Michael Stewart was speaking to BBC Sport Scotland's Martin Watt

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Scotland's injury nightmare continued at the weekend when Scott McTominay was seen rolling around the Old Trafford turf in agony before being substituted in Manchester United's Premier League draw with Burnley.

Luckily, McTominay took to social media on Monday to ease concerns by saying his knee issue is "nothing serious". Phew.

Now Liverpool's Premier League title hopes look all but over, the Tartan Army wouldn't mind seeing Andy Robertson wrapped up in cotton wool between now and the end of the season.

But the Scotland captain was still motoring up the left-hand side during his side's disappointing draw at West Ham on Saturday.

Robertson has continued to impress for Liverpool despite a rough run of form and netted an equaliser at the weekend before the game went on to finish 2-2.

A division below, fellow Scotland team-mate and QPR striker Lyndon Dykes made it two in two on Friday, scoring his side's third in a 4-0 triumph over promotion-chasing Leeds.

That takes Dykes' league tally for the season to six - a total that's bettered by Scotland Under-21 striker Tommy Conway, who took his Championship tally for Bristol City to 10 on Saturday with a penalty against Rotherham.

Could the 21-year-old perhaps sneak his way into an increased squad?

Another potential wildcard pick could be Liam Lindsay, who was announced as Preston's players' player of the year on Monday.

The former Partick Thistle defender is uncapped at international level at the age of 28, but he has excelled in the Championship again this season and provides Steve Clarke with an option given the ongoing injury issues.

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James Forrest insists he has not thought about a potential Scotland recall, despite his triumphant return to the Celtic starting XI.

Forrest scored twice against Dundee in just his fourth start of the season, building on his goal-scoring cameo off the bench against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

The 32-year-old has not played for Scotland since 2021, but Steve Clarke is short of options at both wing-back and attacking midfield after recent injuries, with Forrest capable of playing both positions.

“Honestly, I have not thought about it," Forrest said, when asked about a potential call-up for the Euros.

“I wasn’t in the [Celtic] squad around January and February and I have been buzzing being back in about it. I have managed to get on the scoresheet a few times and come on and helped the team. I just want to keep taking it game by game and help out here.”

Forrest has no other concrete plans for this summer, and would undoubtedly answer the call were it to come.

“Obviously in football, you never book your holidays early anyway, it’s always last minute," he said

“If you ask any Scottish player, they would want to be involved. I went to the last Euros and it was a great experience, right from the first day of camp to the end. It was really good to be part of.

“But I’m going to just concentrate on the games here.”

A View from the Terrace meet figures from Scotland captain and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson's past, who recall his journey up the football ranks.

Watch A View from the Terrace on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer from 22:30 BST

Scotland manager Steve Clarke discusses his excitement for Euro 2024 and says it feels "more like a proper tournament" after the national team's previous appearance at the finals took place with reduced crowds amid Covid restrictions.

Listen to the full interview with Clarke on the BBC's This Sporting Life podcast.

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Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean has been named Norwich City's player of the season.

An ever-present for the Canaries in their Championship campaign, the 32-year-old has broadened his horizons - featuring as a centre-half in a back four at times.

McLean has scored once and picked up five assists, earning the votes of Norwich supporters for the award.

"Obviously, I'm really happy with the award and the fact that the fans have voted for me to win it is pretty nice," he told club media.

"We had a few candidates, which is good and means it's been pretty good, especially recently. It's great, and I appreciate all the support we've had, for me personally, and for the team throughout the season."

Scotland manager Steve Clarke sits down with BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English on the latest episode of This Sporting Life.

Clarke opens up about the death of his father, missing out on the World Cup, how the late Gianluca Vialli turned him to coaching and his excitement at leading his country to the Euros.

Listen to the full episode here.

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The countdown to Euro 2024 is well and truly on.

It's now just 50 days until the eyes of the footballing world are on Scotland as they kick-off the tournament against host nation Germany.

The Allianz Arena in Munich is the venue as the Tartan Army get set for their first major tournament with no restrictions on fans in 26 years.

While Steve Clarke's side may be out of form at the moment, they've shown before they know how to rise to the occasion on the big stage.

Could they start the summer with an almighty shock?