Scotland Men's Football Team

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Germany wrapped up their preparations for Euro 2024 in unconvincing fashion despite beating Greece 2-1 in Monchengladbach.

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross' 89th-minute goal saw Julian Nagelsmann's side come from behind after a lacklustre display.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz equalised after Giorgos Masouras' first-half opener.

It was far from the ideal build-up for the tournament hosts, who open the European Championship against Scotland next Friday in Munich.

The late win comes four days after they played out a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

Next stop Germany, Scotland fans how are you feeling?

Lawrence Shankland managed to get himself on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Finland but will Steve Clarke give him the nod over Che Adams in Munich next week?

What did you make of Scotland's overall performance? Are you worried about the defensive issues? Are you happy with how things look at the top of the pitch?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

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Craig Gordon became Scotland's oldest ever international when he won his 75th cap against Finland on Friday.

The 41-year-old came on as a second-half substitute at Hampden Park, replacing Angus Gunn, and beats the record previously held by David Weir.

Gordon made his Scotland debut over 20 years ago in a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Easter Road.

The Hearts keeper is not going to this summer's Euros in Germany, having not made Steve Clarke's final 26-man squad for the tournament.

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "It was good, a little bit disappointing towards the end.

"The game gets a little bit disjointed when you make subs. It's no reflection of the boys on the pitch, you just lose a little bit of concentration. Up until then I though we controlled the game.

"To get to that stage of the game was good, we defended well, Angus didn't have too much to do. Eventually the two goals came so it was good.

"We are a good team, we've proved that over the last couple of years. We're looking forward to the tournament now."

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That goal felt like a weight off Lawrence Shankland's shoulders. Will he get the chance to repeat the trick in Munich?

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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Friendlies really haven’t been Scotland’s forte in recent times.

They’ve now won just three of their last 21 non-competitive matches, struggling again when they don’t have to put their foot to the pedal.

That couldn’t be further from the case in seven days’ time. Germany are not only one of the top sides in the tournament, but will be desperate to open the tournament with a bang in front of their home fans.

For Clarke’s side, it’s important not to let this result affect their psyche ahead of a daunting prospect in Munich.

There were positives to take however. Anthony Ralston have a solid account in the depleted right wing-back berth, while Lawrence Shankland showed the cutting edge he has lacked in recent outings.

Now, can they do it when the lights are brightest?

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Scotland: Gunn, Ralston, Hendry, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson (c), McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn, Christie, Shankland.

Substitutes: Kelly, Clark, Gordon, McTominay, Adams, Porteous, Cooper, Taylor, Morgan, Conway, Jack, McCrorie, McLean, Forrest, McKenna.

Finland: Joronen, Niskanen, Hoskonen, Vaisanen, Ollila, Lod, Peltola, Maenpaa, Terho, Pohjanpalo, Pukki (c).

Substitutes: Hradecky, Sinisalo, Jensen, Ivanov, Tenho, Kallman, Antman, Soiri, Nissila, Galvez, Walta, Talvitie.

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Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki will relish his return to Glasgow as his Finland side take on Euros-bound Scotland, says former Rangers forward Jonatan Johansson.

The Finnish frontman underwhelmed in his spell at Celtic Park, scoring seven goals in 26 appearances.

After disappointing under Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila, Pukki found his shooting boots at Norwich City, and has always been a key player for his national team.

"He’s important, he's so calm on the pitch as well," Johansson told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's got a really calming influence on all the younger players. He's still quick enough, he's a fantastic finisher with both feet as we know.

"Pukki is coming from Minnesota [United] as well, he's in the middle of the league there with them, so he'll be in good form. He was rested during the week."

He added: "I think he's going to really enjoy this game being back in Glasgow. He really enjoyed his time here.

"I know he didn't really produce his best football at Celtic but he really enjoyed his time in Glasgow."

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says Ryan Gauld "should not think he's not being looked at", despite the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder again missing out on a call-up as Euro 2024 looms.

We asked for your views on Lewis Morgan's shock call-up to Scotland's Euro 2024 squad before Friday night's friendly against Finland.

Here's what some of you said:

Grant: I am not so sure about the call-up. Morgan has done well in the US but he did not cut it at Celtic and I was never convinced from what I saw. I am not sure that he will bring the quality at the level required.

Luke: I thought Morgan should have been in the initial squad so glad he's in now, but what on earth does Ryan Gauld have to do to get his chance? He should have been in the squad last Euros after a good season in Portugal and has missed out again despite his good form.

Robert: Brilliant shout, I'm a huge fan. I'm sure if he's given the opportunity he will do well.

Allan: It's a slap in the face for Ryan Hardie of Plymouth Argyle, who scored 13 Championship goals last season, by bringing in a player who scored 10 at a much lower level. Scotland will struggle to score in the Euros and I fear for them

Gentile: Morgan's call-up smacks of desperation and does nothing to enhance our chances of qualifying. Ryan Fraser should have been recalled. Gauld was another who's doing well but Morgan is a step backwards.

Anonymous: Good to see Clarke looking wider for footballers, but what does Gauld have to do to get a chance. I would rather look at someone who opens up defences than take so many defensive midfielders.

Chris: Steve Clarke is panicking - he needs to trust Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams more, while also getting his team to provide more attacking opportunities in the right formation. There must be some injury doubts in the squad as well as a lack of confidence from the manager in our attacking midfield options (James Forrest, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean all way past their best).

After Scotland boss Steve Clarke bristled at what he perceives as too much negativity in the Euros build-up, there's nothing but sheer bubbling enthusiasm from former winger Pat Nevin as he excitedly looks forward to Friday night's "going away party" against Finland and the tournament itself.

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• Scotland have never lost a match against Finland in eight previous meetings (W6 D2). They’ve only faced the Faroe Islands (11 games) and Cyprus (9 games) more often without losing in their international history.

• This is the first meeting between Scotland and Finland since an April 1998 friendly – the Finns took the lead through Jonatan Johansson before Darren Jackson equalised in a 1-1 draw.

• Scotland have lost two of their last three home matches (D1), more than they had in their previous 19 on home soil (W14 D4 L1). The Scots haven’t lost consecutive home games since September 2019, while they last went four without a home win between November 2007 and November 2008 (5 games).

• Finland have won three of their last five internationals (L2), though away from home they’ve lost their last two, conceding four goals both times against Wales (1-4) and Portugal (2-4).

• Scotland’s 2-0 win over Gibraltar ended a run of seven successive friendlies without a victory (D2 L5); not since a run of four victories between March 2015 and March 2016 have Scotland won consecutive friendlies.

• Last time out, Steve Clarke recorded his 25th win in charge of Scotland in what was his 54th game (D12 L17), becoming just the third manager to reach as many as 25 wins after Craig Brown (54th game) and Jock Stein (61st game).

• John McGinn has been involved in 10 goals in his last 18 appearances for Scotland following his assist against Gibraltar (6 goals, 4 assists), with his nine total assists at least two more than any other player since Clarke’s first game in charge in June 2019.

• Finland’s Teemu Pukki has been involved in five goals in his last five international appearances (4 goals, 1 assist), including a brace last time out against Portugal.

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Lewis Morgan can bring a different dimension to Scotland's attack at the Euros, says head coach Steve Clarke.

The New York Red Bulls winger was a shock late call-up on Thursday morning following injuries to forwards Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak.

Clarke admits he has tended to avoid calling up out-and-out widemen in the past, believing Morgan can feature in a variety of positions in Germany.

“He can bring us something a little bit different," he said.

"He’s obviously gone to MLS and had a had a great time out there. It shows that we do look far and wide at players.

“I don’t tend to pick wingers, as I keep getting told, but we have players that can play in wide positions and Lewis can certainly do that.

“Although, having watched a lot of his stuff in the last three or four days, he has also adapted his game a little bit and can play as a striker or a second striker, so he’s got a few strings to his bow that will give us more attacking options.”

The short-notice, long-haul journey from New York City to Glasgow did not faze Morgan during a phone call with performance director Graeme Jones.

Clarke added: “When Graeme started to explain the situation and logistics with Lewis, he said ‘I’ll stop you there, I’m coming’.

"So that reaction that tells you how pleased he is."

Anthony Ralston says he is using Champions League experience with Celtic to prepare for Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who was named in Steve Clarke's provisional squad, has not featured in a European match at club level since 2022.

However, having turned out in multiple campaigns in the Champions League and Europa League, Ralston believes his continental know-how can make a difference in Germany.

"It's about taking experiences you've had over the course of your career," he said.

"I've been lucky enough to have been involved in environments and games like that [the Champions League] where it's at the top level, you need to be on top of your game.

"We're lucky that we've got a lot of boys who have played at that level and we've got a lot of experience as well.

"It's the type of games you need to bring all of that, be fully focused and be 100% ready."

When asked how much it would mean to make Clarke's final squad, which will be trimmed from 28 to 26 players on Friday, Ralston added: "It would mean a hell of a lot.

"It's something when you grow up as a young boy, watching tournaments on the TV, you can only dream of being part of one and you work your full career to be in the position to be part of it."

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An extension to Steve Clarke's contract as Scotland head coach could be "on the cards", says Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney.

The 60-year-old's deal runs out at the end of the next World Cup cycle in 2026.

Clarke became the first Scotland boss to lead the nation to successive European Championships after ending a 23-year wait to appear at a major tournament.

But Mulraney says the SFA feel no need to rush into discussions and praised the manager's commitment to the role.

“I think a couple of years [left on the contract] is a good timeframe for any football manager," he said.

"Steve will, after the Euros, lead us into the next campaign. Thereafter, absolutely it is on the cards.

"If Steve wants to stay, we can see an avenue where that is the case. There are conversations every time we meet each other.

"Steve’s interested in how we make the game better in Scotland. He’s so interested in improving everything - from the fans' experience, from young players to his national team."

Head coach Steve Clarke says there has been too much negativity in the wake of Scotland's laboured warm-up win over Gibraltar as his side prepare to head into their second consecutive European Championship.

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Angus Gunn says he has "never looked back" since switching allegiance from England to become Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper.

The Norwich City number one, having previously played for England from Under-16 to Under-21 level, chose Steve Clarke's side last year as he qualifies through his Thurso-born dad Bryan, who won six Scotland caps.

Speaking on a bonus episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Gunn recalled his debut - the 3-0 win over Cyprus in the Euro 2024 qualifying opener 15 months ago that was swiftly followed by the momentous 2-0 victory over Spain.

"I felt like going into training I had to show the best version of myself and I feel I did do that," the 28-year-old said.

"When I got the nod to start the first game it was a great feeling and I've never really looked back.

"Obviously there was a lot of nerves, I didn't know what to expect. It probably helped me that I had familiar faces around me, like [Norwich team-mates] Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley, also Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams as well when I was with them at Southampton.

"So that really helped me, but to be fair, all of the lads welcomed me straight away and I felt really comfortable pretty much from the first second.

"So credit to them for that and obviously it couldn't have started any better with the first two games as well."

Listen to Angus and Bryan Gunn talk family, pride and the Euros on the Scottish football podcast

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been facing the media as his side prepare for Friday's final friendly before opening Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on 14 June.

Here are the key points:

• Clarke knows which two players will be dropped from the squad but he has not informed them yet. Wouldn’t be drawn on whether one of the four goalkeepers in the provisional squad will head home.

• Says he is ignoring the "negative Normans", feeling there was too much criticism and negativity following a sticky win over Gibraltar on Monday.

• Insists Stuart Armstrong will be fine and will get the all clear to resume full training with the group on Monday.

• Scott McTominay, who has also been suffering with a knock, won't start on Friday but is expected to come off the bench.

• Scotland team against Finland will be "more familiar" than the side that faced Gibraltar, with Clarke saying the friendly provides a "mix and match" opportunity between giving players game-time and preparing for Germany opener.

• Surprise late call-up Lewis Morgan gives the team "good options" and proves Clarke looks far and wide for players.

• "Really interested" to see what U21 striker Tommy Conway brings to the group and the Bristol City striker has fitted in with the national team really well.

• After 5,000 children took in Scotland's opening training session on Thursday, Clarke talks up the importance of inspiring the next generation this summer.