Scotland Euro 2024 squad: Steve Clarke’s key selections forward of preliminary announcement | Soccer Information

Steve Clarke will title his preliminary Scotland squad for Euro 2024 on Wednesday – however who could possibly be on that airplane to Germany?

In latest weeks that image has turn out to be much less clear following accidents to key gamers.

There are points at right-back, whereas selections must be made within the goalkeeping division and in midfield.

Due to this fact, it must be no shock when greater than the permitted 26 gamers are named – giving Clarke time to evaluate choices within the weeks earlier than the June 7 deadline.

A complete of 29 gamers featured throughout Scotland’s eight qualifiers – with Clarke saying the “core squad” from that profitable marketing campaign “deserve the chance to go to the Euros” – that means he can have some very powerful calls to make…

Defensive dilemma

The large question-mark comes at right-back. Aaron Hickey will miss out with a hamstring damage having having not performed for Brentford since final October.

To Hickey’s doubtless back-up, Nathan Patterson. The Everton defender can also be out after struggling a hamstring damage of his personal in final month’s stoppage-time defeat to Chelsea.

So who does Clarke flip to? Nicely the excellent news is he will not be in need of alternate options.

Anthony Ralston could possibly be an possibility – having featured in latest squads – however just isn’t first alternative at Celtic. Ex-Aberdeen defender Ross McCrorie could possibly be within the combine too having impressed at Bristol Metropolis, and was called-up final June rather than the injured Ralston on the time.

Elsewhere, former Motherwell participant Max Johnston received the Austrian title at Sturm Graz this season and was an alternative choice to final 12 months’s pleasant towards France, whereas Liam Palmer performed 38 video games for Sheffield Wednesday.

There’s at all times the choice of making an attempt to lure the likes of Newcastle’s Tino Livramento to declare for Scotland, or will he contemplate a again to the longer term method and deploy Kieran Tierney at right-back as a substitute of his centre-back function?

There’s some excellent news in defence too. Norwich’s Grant Hanley and Copenhagen’s Scott McKenna – who each withdrew from the March camp as a consequence of damage – did return to motion for his or her golf equipment earlier than the tip of the season.

No matter gamers Clarke selects for right-back – they are going to have two warm-up video games in June towards Finland and Gibraltar to attempt to declare that beginning spot for the event opener towards Germany.

Who will make it in midfield?

Whereas Serie A star Lewis Ferguson’s hopes are over after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament – there could possibly be excellent news for Scotland followers with Stuart Armstrong within the combine to return from damage.

Ferguson featured in three qualifiers and each March friendlies – and whereas he could not have began in Germany – the Bologna captain would have been in Clarke’s squad had he not been pressured to bear surgical procedure.

Armstrong in the meantime was stretchered off in Southampton’s defeat to Cardiff Metropolis final month, nevertheless, membership boss Russell Martin says the participant has a “big chance” of constructing it.

It’s an space of the pitch the place Clarke is blessed with varied high quality choices.

Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie featured in all eight Euro qualifiers – a feat solely matched by ahead Lyndon Dykes – suggesting the boss will probably be constant together with his method within the center.

Kenny McLean (7) and Billy Gilmour (5) featured frequently too and can be anticipated to board the airplane to Germany.

Nonetheless, might Celtic’s James Forrest get a kind of further spots on the airplane? Regardless of not that includes for the nationwide staff since 2021 he ended the season in nice kind together with his membership, scoring 5 objectives in eight video games, and will present a distinct possibility offensively – and even slot in a proper wing-back function.

Aberdeen’s Connor Barron can also be reportedly in line for a shock call-up after impressing for Aberdeen this season.

Gordon to make outstanding return?

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn will probably be Clarke’s No 1 after beating Hearts’ Zander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly to the gloves firstly of the qualification marketing campaign.

After pledging his allegiance to Scotland – regardless of enjoying for England U21s – he took over from the injured Craig Gordon who had been recovering from a double leg break suffered in December 2022.

Nonetheless, at 41 years outdated, Gordon is again and did return to the Scotland fold as considered one of 4 keepers for the March friendlies.

Solely three are anticipated to move to Germany – so who misses out?

Kelly performed the first-half of final October’s defeat to France however within the Scottish Premiership stored simply three clear sheets all season, whereas Motherwell conceded 59 objectives – the joint fourth most.

Clark in the meantime stored 16 clear sheets – a quantity solely bettered by Rangers’ Jack Butland – as Hearts conceded the least objectives out of any membership exterior the Outdated Agency.

Gordon was stored out of motion by Clark at membership degree – though did characteristic in three league video games and 4 cup matches – and would overtake David Weir as Scotland’s oldest worldwide if he performs, at 41

Clarke did run the rule over his choices throughout coaching earlier this 12 months and advised not solely sport time will come into his resolution.

“I’ll assess everything I’ve got,” stated the Scotland boss. “The make-up of the squad going into a tournament has other factors like squad stability and players who have been in the squad for a long time, so it’s going to be a tough decision.”

Striker shock?

Might there be a shock on the prime finish of the pitch?

Dykes and Che Adams had been virtually assured to be within the squad, and after a season to recollect Lawrence Shankland must be on that airplane to Germany too.

The Hearts ahead scored 31 objectives in all competitions and netted throughout Scotland’s attract Georgia.

The likes of Luton City’s Jacob Brown and Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet had been ignored of the final Scotland squad after powerful seasons at membership degree.

Will Clarke stick to 3 – or might there be a shock name up for one more title reportedly into account, Ben Doak?

The Liverpool ahead, 18, is uncapped at senior degree having made six appearances for the U21 facet whereas one other wild card could possibly be Southampton’s Ross Stewart, who returned to motion within the play-off first-leg towards West Brom.

Watch Scotland’s squad announcement for Euro 2024 on Wednesday dwell on Sky Sports activities Information from 11am.

Scotland’s Euro 2024 warm-up matches

June 3: Gibraltar (n), pleasant, kick-off 5pm

June 7: Finland (h), pleasant, kick-off 7.45pm

Who do Scotland face at Euro 2024?

Following the ultimate friendlies towards Gibraltar and Finland, Scotland will head to their Euro 2024 base camp positioned within the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 9.

Clarke’s facet play the event’s opening match towards hosts Germany on the Allianz Area on June 14.

The Scots additionally face video games towards perennial qualifiers Switzerland and Hungary, who reached the knockout levels in 2016.

Scotland have historical past kicking off tournaments, having been drawn to face Brazil within the opener at World Cup 1998, a sport they narrowly misplaced 2-1 to a second-half Tom Boyd personal objective.

This time they start on the Allianz Area earlier than going through Switzerland in Cologne on June 19, with Hungary awaiting in Stuttgart on June 23.

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