Scotland Men's Football Team

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Ryan Porteous says he "wasn't ready mentally" to return to football following Scotland's exit from the Euros.

The Watford defender was sent off in Scotland's opening defeat against hosts Germany, and was duly suspended for the other two group games - a draw against Switzerland and a loss to Hungary.

The 25-year-old was thrown straight back into pre-season with his club side, and describes it as "the toughest part of my life".

"I went away with my Mrs for four days then came right back to it. I knew when I came right back in that I wasn't ready," Porteous said, talking to The Voices of the Vic podcast, external.

"I wasn't ready mentally. Physically I wouldn't have needed a pre-season because I didn't really stop at all, but mentally I wasn't ready.

"I had conversations with [Watford manager] Tom Cleverley, he dipped me in and out and left me out for a few pre-season games."

Porteous says the situation was "horrible", but says he wants to highlight his struggles in order to help anyone else in a similar situation.

"It was really difficult, without this sounding like a sob story and everyone feeling sorry for me, maybe it could help other people who get in this situation," he said.

"Honestly, I couldn't even tell you the frame of mind that I was in, it was really horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

"It's hard but I think it's brave to come out and say all this stuff, I'm at the stage now where I'm happy to do it because I think it can help others.

"It was the toughest part of my life, and up to the last month I've been completely back on track and I'm feeling back to normal, probably happier than I was before."

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With several teams interested in securing his signature, Scotland striker Che Adams sought the advice of head coach Steve Clarke in the summer.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Clarke's view was: "If you stay in England, it’ll be easier for me!"

Remaining at Southampton was one option, with fellow Premier League sides Wolves and Nottingham Forest also keen in signing the forward.

Adams' decision in the end, however, was to move his life to Italy and pen a deal with Torino.

It is already looking like a shrewd call as the Serie A side currently sit top of the table after five games, with Adams scoring twice and assisting another in those early-season fixtures.

But the Scotland forward missed the Nations League double-header earlier this month, confirming to BBC Sport that he had a hip-flexor issue.

"I was just new to the country, I needed to take good treatment and get fit here," he added. "I don’t think it would have helped going to Scotland at that time."

Given the striker's start to the season, it will be no surprise to see him back in the squad for October's games against Croatia and Portugal.

After all, regardless of where he is playing, Clarke told Adams he will always have an eye on the 28-year-old.

On the advice the Scotland boss offered him in the summer, the striker added: "He just told me to keep fit, keep healthy and keep scoring, and he'll always be watching."

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Former Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic and Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic are missing from Croatia's 25-man squad for their Nations League meeting with Scotland, who have added Scott McKenna and John McGinn to their own list of injury doubts.

McKenna, who has been a regular starter at left centre-half in the absence of Arsenal's Kieran Tierney, picked up a hamstring injury in training on Friday that ruled the 27-year-old out of Las Palmas' 2-1 La Liga defeat by Osasuna the following day, with the Spanish club as yet unsure of his recovery time.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery had more clarity about McGinn, revealing that the midfielder is likely to be missing "for a few weeks" after the 29-year-old was forced off with a hamstring injury at half-time during Saturday's 3-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, Nathan Patterson featured in Everton Under-21's victory over Sunderland on Sunday - the right-back's first match in nearly six months.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is expected to name his squad next week for the Nations League double header - in Croatia on 12 October and at home to Portugal three days later.

Croatia counterpart Zlatko Dalic has already confirmed his squad, with Juranovic again missing out after summer ankle surgery that means he has not featured for Union Berlin this season.

Stanisic's absence reduces the options at right-back, but Dalic says: "I believe we can compensate well with the players we have."

Borna Barisic, the left-back who joined Trabzonspor from Rangers this summer, is one of those to drop out after being named in the provisional squad.

Croatia followed their opening Nations League defeat in Portugal by beating Poland last time out, while Scotland have gone six games without a win after their loss in Lisbon earlier this month.

Torino striker Che Adams has insisted that he had to pull out of Scotland's Nations League defeats by Poland and Portugal earlier this month because of a hip injury and not because he was still settling with his new club. (Daily Record), external

Las Palmas centre-half Scott McKenna and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn are Scotland's latest injury doubts for their forthcoming Nations League double header. (The Scotsman), external

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed former Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic, currently with Union Berlin, and Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic will not be part of his 25-man squad for the Nations League meeting with Scotland on 12 October after the pair had failed to recover from recent injuries. (The Scotsman), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Image source, Getty Images

Scotland striker Che Adams came off the bench to score Torino's winner in a 3-2 victory over Verona that takes his new side to the top of Serie A.

The 28-year-old summer arrival from Southampton found himself a substitute after failing to score in two starts since scoring the winner against Atalanta.

Head coach Paolo Vanoli, the former Rangers defender, had gone with a strike force of Antonia Sanabria and Duvan Zapata and both scored in the first half either side of Grigoris Kastanos' goal for the hosts.

However, Adams fired home 12 minutes after being introduced on 67 minutes before Daniel Mosquera reduced the deficit in stoppage-time for Verona.

It puts Torino, unbeaten this season, top by a point, although Napoli, now with Scotland duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay in midfield, will overtake them should they win away to Juventus on Saturday.

Udinese, who lie second, visit Roma on Sunday.

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 25, will sign a new contract with Bologna this week, according to reports in Italy. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Stuart Armstrong scored his first goal since joining Vancouver Whitecaps after being set up by fellow Scotland midfielder Ryan Gauld in a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.

Gauld, who earned his first two caps against Poland and Portugal this month, had already set up Haiti forward Fafa Picault's 35th-minute opener before former Dundee United team-mate Armstrong scored two minutes after coming on as a late substitute.

It was Armstrong's second substitute appearance since finding a new club after exiting Southampton this summer, the 32-year-old having also been given the final six minutes of Whitecaps' 0-0 draw with Dallas.

Gauld, meanwhile, took his total of assists this season to 12 - 15 goal contributions, including six goals, in the 28-year-old's latest 15 appearances.

The victory means Whitecaps sit fifth in the Western Conference, 10 points behind leaders LA Galaxy but with a game in hand 27 matches into the season.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack has been pictured in training by Turkish second-tier club Erokspor, but the 32-year-old who is a free agent after being released by Rangers has not yet been announced as a signing before Sunday's match against Igdir. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston has revealed how he trudged across Europe from the Scotland squad camp and arrived in the dead of night in Malta because he was so desperate to play for the under-21s. (Sunday Post, print edition)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Image source, SNS

Lennon Miller "wants to add goals and assists" to his game after a standout performance in Scotland Under-21s' 5-0 trouncing of Malta.

The Motherwell midfielder scored one and provided two assists on his competitive debut for Scot Gemmill's side in their Euro qualifier.

Dane Murray, Josh Mulligan and Lewis Neilson were also on target, while Miller's Motherwell team-mate, Ewan Wilson, helped force an own goal on his debut.

"We knew coming here with the heat, and with them not winning the game [the reverse match] that they'd want to try and beat us," Miller said.

"We started the game very well and we kicked on. We were excellent attacking wise and disciplined behind the ball. We won the ball back within seconds when we lost it."

On his goal, which was assisted by Daniel Kelly who has just moved from Celtic to Millwall, Miller said: "I saw the ball go out wide, I arrived in the box and thankfully Daniel found me so I stuck it in the back of the net.

"As a midfielder you need to add goals to your game, it's partly what you are measured on and getting assists as well is what I want to do coming into this season, so I'm thankful to get a few tonight."

Scotland face Belgium next month and Miller said: "We've got to relish it, we've got to challenge ourselves against teams like that."

A hamstring injury to Hibernian's Kieron Bowie was "the only dampener to the night" for Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill after Tuesday's 5-0 win over Malta. (Sun)

Former Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan would like a testimonial with Sheffield Wednesday after 10 years with the club and, as a Celtic fan, would love the Scottish champions or former club Aston Villa to be the opponents. (The Star), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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On paper, Scotland's late defeats by Poland and Portugal may not have seemed like much of a reset from the summer's disappointing Euros campaign.

However, a change of shape to a 4-2-3-1 and a more positive approach has provided renewed hope from some sections of the Tartan Army.

And Steve Clarke remains optimistic his squad can build on the revised approach in next month's Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

"As you always do after the end of a journey, which was the championships in the summer, you have to go away, you have to analyse everything," Scotland boss Clarke said. "I have to analyse myself, my staff and players.

"And then you have to decide what the reset is. And then you have to explain that to the players."

With Callum McGregor retiring and several squad members injured or without clubs, Clarke called up six uncapped players and handed debuts to Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld.

"We look to improve, build on what we do. I’m very honest with my players and they’re very honest with me," Clarke added.

"I think when you have that relationship with your players then you can do what we’ve done in the short space of time.

"But then we want to do it again when we get together in the next camp. We have a little bit longer, so we might manage to get three training sessions before we go to the pitch. So it gives us more time.

"Myself and the coaches can go away and analyse this game and the Poland game and hopefully we can give the lads a few more pointers for the two games next month. They don’t get any easier, Portugal at Hampden and Croatia away."

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No Scotland head coach has gone through what Steve Clarke is enduring right now.

A run of eight competitive games without victory is the worst in the nation's history. Including friendlies, it's one win in 14 attempts.

To turn it around, Scotland and Clarke need three things. Patience, bravery, and trust.

Patience must come from the fans. That's according to Pat Nevin, the former Scotland winger, who admits it's probably the hardest thing for Clarke to come by.

"We've got fairly patient supporters," Nevin told BBC Scotland. "They understand the limitations of Scotland a lot of the time and have done for generations. That’s the hard one and I understand why some people lose patience."

The bravery, says Nevin, must come from the Scottish FA board to stick by their man, even if this slump continues - which it very well might, given Scotland's next four games (Croatia away, Portugal home, Croatia home, Poland away).

"They need to stand back and realise the basics are there," Nevin added. "We’ve got a good coach who gets the best that he possibly can do from the group.

"I get the feeling they will [back Clarke]. They really enjoyed the fact that they got those two Euros in a row. Okay, we didn’t do so well when we got there but it is all about getting there. I think he deserves it and I think they'll think that too."

Finally, Clarke needs the trust of his players. Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland star John, is certain the head coach has that.

"From within the camp, the guys have total trust in Clarke," McGinn said. "They enjoy it. There's been times over the last 20 years of being a Scotland fan where I've looked at a squad and I thought, 'You're disjointed, you don't like the staff, you don't like each other, you don't like going'.

"We don't have that. We need to be careful with the narrative of really pushing it and getting rid of a manager that we all know deep down can get us to a major tournament."

Maybe there's a fourth thing Clarke would ask for, too. Context.

In this dreadful run of 14 games, six have been friendlies and two were dead-rubber qualifiers, while three came at the Euros.

Three of those friendlies took place against England, France and the Netherlands. Wins in those games would have been nice, but also wouldn't have been held under the same microscope with which these defeats are now examined.

• Stephen McGinn was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen to here on BBC Sounds.

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Hibs forward Kieron Bowie has called on Scotland Under-21s to be ruthless against Malta on Tuesday to get their Euro 2025 qualification bid back on track.

The Scots appear to be in a battle with Belgium and Hungary for second place in Group B after their 2-1 defeat at home to Spain left them six points adrift of the group leaders.

The three best runners-up qualify automatically for next year's finals in Slovakia, with the others going into a play-off.

Bowie said: "We played Malta in October last year and we won 2-1 and it was sort of the last 10 minutes we scored.

"So we know they're not just going to roll over and let us batter them.

"But the last time we had quite a lot of chances and the game should have been put to bed a lot earlier, so hopefully we can go into this game with a different mindset and come away with the three points.

"We're in a good position. I think all the lads in the dressing room definitely know we have a chance of qualifying. We just need to win these next three games to hopefully qualify."

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James McFadden is optimistic about Scotland's future despite their winless run.

Steve Clarke's side have lost their opening two Nations League matches to Poland and Portugal - continuing a poor run of form stretching back to before the Euros.

However, McFadden thinks there's lots to be positive about, and is hopeful about the options at Clarke's disposal moving forwards.

"We have different types of players who can come on now; before substitutions were like-for-like," the former Scotland forward told Sportsound.

"We have different options. Tommy Conway looked bright, he certainly understands how to play that role.

"Ben Doak, Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld, we know they've got speed.

"We've got Kieran Tierney to add to that. Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey - if he can get over the horrific run of injuries he's had - and Nathan Patterson too.

"The players who have came in have vindicated the manager's decision and there is positivity to take.

"But we do have to start winning games. I'd take an ugly win."

Scotland fans, we asked for your thoughts after Portugal's late goal made it two defeats from two for Steve Clarke's side in the Nations League.

Here's what some of you had to say:

George: Encouraging performance but we really need to ditch players who aren't suitable at this level such as Grant Hanley, Angus Gunn and Lyndon Dykes. Starting 11 was much the same as it has been for a while, time to give Ben Doak a start if we are truly moving on.

John: Yet another disappointing night despite the efforts of the team. Steve Clarke could have made substitutions earlier when legs and bodies were tired. Yet again he dithered until it was too late. What other manager would still be in a job after one win fourteen games? If we are to reach the next stage of this competition, or the next World Cup, then we must change now.

Allan: Let's be honest, not many sides in the world will come out of Lisbon against Portugal with a point. Scotland battled hard and kept in the game until the 87th minute and caused Portugal a few headaches. This is not the time to criticise the manager or the team.

David: We played well considering they have one of the best and deepest squads in the world, full of superstars. We just need a defence. I think Clarke should work on searching high and low for some more defenders who have Scottish grandparents. Our midfield is stacked, our attacking options are fine, we just need centre backs that can play out from the back with composure and not be shaking with nerves like ours are. We need the calmness of a Billy Gilmour at centre back, just a bit taller and two stone heavier.

David B: John McGinn was ineffective and too slow as was Anthony Ralston who allowed the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo’s winning goal. McGinn should have been subbed after the equaliser if not earlier. Been a huge fan of McGinn at Aston Villa for three or four years but now looks slow and so many plays ended with him.

Johnny: Scotland have never thrived under defensive coaches. Clarke has no concept of flair or guile. His tactics are simple, predictable and easily countered by average opposition or better. His team selections, in many cases, are head scratching.