TEAM

SCOTLAND

GROUP: A PLAYER TO WATCH: John McGinn EXPECTED FINISH: Round of 16

Scotland Fixtures

Appearing at their second consecutive European Championships, and fourth overall, Scotland will be hoping to do something they have never managed before: make it past the group stage of a major tournament.

Steve Clarke’s men begin their campaign, and get the tournament underway, with a game against hosts Germany in Munich. It is a difficult opener against a nation that the Scots haven’t beaten since 1999. Next up is a clash with Switzerland in Cologne, a game that the Tartan Army will be eyeing up as a chance to pick up some points. The same goes for the final group game against Hungary, an opponent Scotland beat when they last met in 2018; that meeting in Stuttgart could go a long way to deciding who progresses from Group A.

Here are Scotland’s Group A fixtures:

Germany vs Scotland: 14th June (Munich Football Arena)
Scotland vs Switzerland: 19th June (Cologne Stadium)
Scotland vs Hungary: 23rd June (Stuttgart Arena)

Standings

Venues

Key players

John McGinn

Caps (goals): 64 (18)

Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Aston Villa

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has become integral to the Scottish starting XI in recent years, having made his debut back in 2016 against Denmark. With 18 goals in his 64 caps, McGinn has scored some crucial goals for his national side, including seven in a successful qualifying campaign.

At club level, he has been instrumental in Aston Villa’s rise from the Championship to Champions League qualification. After helping the club to promotion via the play-offs, he has been a key figure as the Villa have established themselves in the top flight once again. A tenacious midfielder adept in both attack and defence, McGinn will be crucial to any Scottish success this summer.

Scott McTominay

Caps (goals): 49 (8)

Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Manchester United

Scott McTominay was pivotal in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, scoring seven goals including a brace against Spain at Hampden Park to give his country their first win over La Roja since 1984. His goals saw Scotland progress to the finals as group runners-up, six points clear of third-placed Norway.

McTominay reached 10 goals for Manchester United in a season for the first time this campaign and, last term, won the EFL Cup with the club he has been with since the age of five. A midfielder with a keen eye for goal, McTominay remains one of the first names on the teamsheet for Clarke and this summer represents a chance for him to make history with his country following a disappointing European Championships last time out.

Andy Robertson

Caps (assists): 69 (8)

Position: Defender

Club Team: Liverpool

Captain of Scotland Andy Robertson plays his club football for Liverpool and is regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world. His trophy-laden career has seen him win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and multiple EFL Cups with the Anfield giants. Add to this a European Super Cup and a Club World Cup and it isn’t hard to see why Robertson is held in such high regard.

A massive influence for his country, a fit and firing Andy Robertson is huge as Scotland look to end their dismal record in major tournaments. His injury problems have prevented him from making as many appearances as he would have liked this season but he has still produced the most shot-creating actions per 90 minutes of any left-back in the Premier League. Those injury worries seem to be behind him and that is a considerable boost for the Scots.

Previous performances in the Euros

Having qualified for three European Championships prior to this one, 2024 will be Scotland’s fourth attempt at making the knockout stages. Here is Scotland’s Euros record in full:

1960: Did not enter
1964: Did not enter
1968: Did not qualify
1972: Did not qualify
1976: Did not qualify
1980: Did not qualify
1984: Did not qualify
1988: Did not qualify
1992: Group stage (third in Group 2)
1996: Group stage (third in Group A)
2000: Did not qualify
2004: Did not qualify
2008: Did not qualify
2012: Did not qualify
2016: Did not qualify
2020: Group stage (bottom of Group D)

Expectations

Despite poor past European Championships showings, Clarke’s side will be backing themselves to do what no other Scottish side has managed and progress from their group.

Tricky but winnable games in Group A coupled with the chance a third-place finish may be enough to qualify. The form and fitness of key players will be crucial as the Tartan Army heads to Germany full of hope and optimism.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change