Scotland Men's Football Team

Could John Souttar's fine form with Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers earn the centre-back a spot in Scotland's Euros squad?

According to the Sunday Mail's chief football writer Scott McDermott, the 27-year-old would be on the plane as it stands after proving himself under Philippe Clement this term.

"I would take him if he continues this run of form," McDermott told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "I think there's only ever been two real doubts about John Souttar as a player.

"One of them is his injury record, which has obviously been patchy. He's come through incredible setbacks, especially with Achilles injuries that are tough to come back from, but he has.

"And I think probably the only other thing in terms of actually playing is how he would be in a back four rather than a back three. At Hearts where he really excelled, it was on the right of a back three and I think that was probably the question mark when he went to Ibrox, how he would be in a back four at Rangers.

"But I think especially this season - especially this run of form he's on at the minute with Connor Goldson - he's proved that he can handle that. His form's been excellent.

"He's never let Scotland down when he's played for them before. I think Steve Clarke really likes him. I think if Steve Clarke was picking the squad for Germany tomorrow, then John Souttar would probably be in it."

Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

There's just 115 days until Scotland kick off the Euros against host country Germany... not that we're keeping count or anything.

As the big day draws nearer, talk of who will grab a seat on the plane only intensifies. Every game, goal and gaffe could be the difference between a summer facing the continent's best, or watching along from the sofa.

We take a look back over the weekend's action to see who has pushed themselves into speedy boarding and who is looking like they could miss their departure.

Image source, Getty Images

There's never a good time for a player to get injured, but with the prospect of walking out for your country at a major tournament just on the horizon, nobody wants to miss out in the next few months.

Unfortunately for Jacob Brown, he'll be on the sidelines for the "foreseeable" after Luton Town manager Rob Edwards confirmed the forward underwent surgery on a knee cartilage issue on Tuesday morning.

His absence is likely to only bolster the calls for Scottish Premiership top scorer Lawrence Shankland to be included in the squad this summer. His header against Motherwell on Saturday marked his 25th goal of the season for Hearts, having now only failed to score in one of the Tynecastle side's last 11 league games. Aye, that's a man on form.

Another attacking option that currently sits on the maybe pile is Ryan Fraser, who is enjoying a bit of career resurgence in the English Championship with Southampton. His fine volley in Friday's win over West Brom - sourced from a delightful Stuart Armstrong cross - made it eight goals for the season. With his international future seemingly uncertain, Fraser pushes his name further into the conversation week-by-week.

Image source, Getty Images

Time for a scoot round the rest of the Scotland hopefuls doing the business south of the border.

Billy Gilmour continues to impress for Europe-chasing Brighton, putting on a commanding display in his side's 5-0 mauling of 10-man Sheffield United. A pass completion rate of 97% for the young midfielder. No bad.

Norwich City certainly have faith in their Tartan Army contingent, with goalkeeper Angus Gunn stood behind a centre-half pairing of Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean in their 4-1 win over Cardiff City.

Back in the top flight, veteran Matt Ritchie popped up to prod home a late equaliser for Newcastle United in their 2-2 with Ryan Christie's Bournemouth. Anthony Gordon had earlier stuck away a penalty for the Magpies, with Harvey Barnes also charging around on the wing. Worth pointing out again that both are eligible to wear the navy blue...

Image source, Getty Images

Only one place to start in our whizz round the continental section of Squad Watch, and that's a leap over the North Sea to Denmark. Scott McKenna put on an imperious display in his league debut for champions Copenhagen, who moved to second in the Superliga with a 3-0 win at Silkeborg.

Further south in Italy, Josh Doig continued his run in a Sassuolo team that went down 3-0 to Atalanta, while Lewis Ferguson's Bologna boosted their chances of Champions League football next term with a comeback victory at Lazio.

Meanwhile in northern Spain, Kieran Tierney is readying himself for a return to action with Real Sociedad. Handily, you can hear more about how the left-back is recovering - and just how important he is to Steve Clarke - on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

Don't say we're not good to you!

Jordan Campbell of The Athletic provides an update on Kieran Tierney's fitness on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Subscribe and listen to full episodes here.

The draw is made in Paris on Thursday, 8 February at 17:00 GMT and here's the A-list, with newbies Scotland in the lowest pot of seeds.

Pot 1: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands

Pot 2: Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary

Pot 3: Switzerland, Germany, Poland, France

Pot 4: Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Scotland

The top seeds are the semi-finalists from last year, with Spain the reigning champions.

Notice anyone missing? That's right, while Scotland were promoted, England were relegated, along with Wales.

So, do you fancy Netherlands, Portugal and France or does Croatia, Denmark and Poland sound a bit easier?

Image source, SNS

Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport Scotland

With January in the rear-view mirror, it's time to take a broader look at how those hoping to be on the plane to Germany with Steve Clarke's Tartan Army.

Image source, Getty Images

Who made moves with an eye on a Euros squad place?

Calvin Ramsay stepped down to League One with a loan move to Bolton. Lasted an hour on debut in EFL Trophy. Off the bench in league duty last weekend.

Josh Doig has started twice for Sassuolo already since signing last month. However, his new side are just a point above the drop zone.

Scott McKenna joined FC Copenhagen on loan, but their season won't restart for another few weeks in Denmark. They do face Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 next week, though.

David Turnbull was a deadline day exit from Celtic, joining Cardiff and making his debut a day later. Can he force a way into the squad for the first time since September 2022?

How are the squad regulars going?

Andy Robertson is back from injury but is yet to start for Liverpool, while Kieran Tierney's worrying thigh injury isn't as bad as first feared and he should return for Real Sociedad within weeks, rather than months.

Leeds captain Liam Cooper has struggled for minutes in the league of late, although he did play against Plymouth in the FA Cup, while Jack Hendry is waiting for the Saudi Pro League to start up again in February.

Grant Hanley has returned from injury to fall in and out of the Norwich side, captaining the Canaries in the FA Cup loss to Liverpool.

John McGinn continues to captain Aston Villa's unlikely charge for the Champions League, while Scott McTominay regularly comes off the bench for Manchester United.

Kenny McLean has been ever-present for Norwich so far this season, while Billy Gilmour has missed just one league game for Brighton.

Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson's stock continues to rise after another goal at the weekend, while Ryan Christie and Stuart Armstrong are playing regularly on the south coast for Bournemouth and Southampton respectively.

Lyndon Dykes only has four Championship goals to his name for struggling QPR, while Che Adams has four in his last six for Southampton.

Image source, Getty Images

What about the outsiders?

Max Johnston came off the bench for the final minute of Sturm Graz's OFB Cup win over Austria Vienna.

Dominic Hyam returned from injury to captain Blackburn Rovers, who haven't won since mid-Decemeber.

Finally back from injury, Ross McCrorie has been playing as a right wing-back for Bristol City and started against West Ham and Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

Allan Campbell's loan spell to Millwall from Luton isn't going to plan, with the one-cap midfielder not featuring since mid-December. Kevin Nisbet is playing regularly at least, but has only scored five Championship goals.

Ryan Fraser scored three goals in January for Southampton, while in the top flight Oli McBurnie and Jacob Brown are in and out of the teams at relegation-fighting Sheffield United and Luton Town.

Former Scotland defender Christophe Berra took a coaching role at Alabama's Huntsville City because he "was looking for a full-time job and there aren't many opportunities in Scotland". (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest centre-back Scott McKenna has joined Copenhagen on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The 27-year-old Scotland international, who signed from Aberdeen in September 2020, has made six appearances for the Reds this season.

His contract with Forest expires at the end of the season.

The club said: "We wish Scott all the best for his time in Denmark."

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland captain Andy Robertson returned to action in Liverpool's FA Cup win over Norwich City on Sunday.

The left-back had been out injured since October after suffering a dislocated shoulder during his country's defeat to Spain.

On an emotional day at Anfield following the news manager Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Robertson received a huge ovation when he replaced Joe Gomez on the 55th minute.

The 29-year-old's return is a timely boost for both club and country, with the Reds fighting for four honours as Scotland prepare for the Euro 2024 finals this summer.

Following his side's 5-2 victory, Robertson told ITV "the reception I got will stay with me for a long time".

Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

The winter period can be hard to keep track of.

Scottish football is back. The Premier League is on a half on/half off rotation. The English Championship never stopped. And some of the continent's leagues are enjoying their hiatus.

Wish you had an easy way to know how Steve Clarke's Scots are getting on ahead of the Euros? Let us help...

Image source, Getty Images

Squad Watch is fast becoming the Southampton show.

29-time capped Russell Martin is clearly using the hurt of never representing Scotland at a major tournament, channelling it into getting a sweet tune out of his Tartan Army cohort.

Two assists for Stuart Armstrong, as well as the opening goal from Che Adams, saw off Swansea in a 3-1 victory this weekend. That makes it a whopping 21 games unbeaten in all competitions for the St Mary's side.

And if you were wondering just how much this run is really being fuelled by Scots, in their last three games, Southampton have scored 11 goals - 10 of which have been scored or assisted by one of Armstrong, Adams or Ryan Fraser. Yaldi.

Image source, SNS

Elsewhere in England's second-tier, Kenny McLean was freed from deputising at centre-half and marked his return to the midfield with an assist in Norwich City's 2-0 victory over West Brom.

That meant a clean sheet for Scotland's current number one Angus Gunn, but the man who previously sat on that throne is out to reclaim his spot.

After 392 days on the sidelines, Craig Gordon was back in between the sticks for Hearts as they edged past League 2 Spartans in the Scottish Cup.

He may not have kept a clean sheet, but I'm not sure a goalkeeper on the planet would have stopped James Craigen's sensational equaliser. He was called into action properly on one occasion, rolling back the years to swat away a vicious Callum Booth strike.

The goalkeepers' union was out in force this weekend, as Robby McCrorie was afforded a rare start with the brilliant Jack Butland rested for Rangers. The 25-year-old gave a good account of himself in his side's 4-1 win over Dumbarton.

Image source, SNS

And finally, the Josh Doig mini-saga is over.

The 21-year-old was brushing up on his merci beaucoups ahead of an anticipated move to Marseille, but the deal fell through at the final hour.

With reports suggesting that Serie A rivals Sassuolo were willing to pay more of the former Hibs youngster's wages, Hellas Verona decided to keep their player in Italy.

With Andy Robertson still injured, Kieran Tierney not being a guaranteed starter for Real Sociedad, and Greg Taylor a source of frustration at times for Celtic fans, this move could be huge for Doig's Euros prospects.

Heart of Midlothian striker Lawrence Shankland is ready to turn down the club's offer of a new contract and Hearts will need to improve on a minimal wage increase to secure the Scotland international for the long term. (Sun), external

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon could end a 13-month injury absence in Hearts' Scottish Cup tie away to Spartans on Saturday over lunchtime. (Record), external

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes international left-back Greg Taylor suffers from a syndrome similar to other Scottish players the club have had by not getting the adulation they merit. (Record), external

Vancouver Whitecaps' Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld tells how he deleted social media apps because of "hurtful" criticism. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip