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

Steve Clarke will identify his preliminary Scotland squad for Euro 2024 on Wednesday – however who may very well be on that aircraft to Germany?

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

There are points at right-back, whereas choices have to be made within the goalkeeping division and in midfield.

Subsequently, it ought to 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” – which 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 harm having having not performed for Brentford since final October.

To Hickey’s seemingly back-up, Nathan Patterson. The Everton defender can also be out after struggling a hamstring harm 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 options.

Anthony Ralston may very well be an choice – having featured in current squads – however just isn’t first alternative at Celtic. Ex-Aberdeen defender Ross McCrorie may very well be within the combine too having impressed at Bristol Metropolis, and was called-up final June instead of 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 to final yr’s pleasant in opposition to France, whereas Liam Palmer performed 38 video games for Sheffield Wednesday.

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

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

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

Who will make it in midfield?

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

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 compelled to bear surgical procedure.

Armstrong in the meantime was stretchered off in Southampton’s defeat to Cardiff Metropolis final month, nonetheless, 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 numerous 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 along with his strategy within the center.

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

Nonetheless, may Celtic’s James Forrest get a kind of further spots on the aircraft? Regardless of not that includes for the nationwide crew since 2021 he ended the season in nice type along with his membership, scoring 5 targets in eight video games, and will present a unique choice offensively – and even slot in a proper wing-back position.

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 in the beginning 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 previous, Gordon is again and did return to the Scotland fold as one in all 4 keepers for the March friendlies.

Solely three are anticipated to go 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 targets – 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 targets out of any membership exterior the Outdated Agency.

Gordon was stored out of motion by Clark at membership stage – though did function 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 yr and recommended not solely recreation time will come into his determination.

“I’ll assess everything I’ve got,” mentioned 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 nearly assured to be within the squad, and after a season to recollect Lawrence Shankland ought to be on that aircraft to Germany too.

The Hearts ahead scored 31 targets 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 neglected of the final Scotland squad after powerful seasons at membership stage.

Will Clarke stick to a few – or may there be a shock name up for an additional identify reportedly into account, Ben Doak?

The Liverpool ahead, 18, is uncapped at senior stage having made six appearances for the U21 aspect whereas one other wild card may very well be Southampton’s Ross Stewart, who returned to motion within the play-off first-leg in opposition to West Brom.

Watch Scotland’s squad announcement for Euro 2024 on Wednesday stay 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 in opposition to Gibraltar and Finland, Scotland will head to their Euro 2024 base camp situated within the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 9.

Clarke’s aspect play the match’s opening match in opposition to hosts Germany on the Allianz Enviornment on June 14.

The Scots additionally face video games in opposition to 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 recreation they narrowly misplaced 2-1 to a second-half Tom Boyd personal aim.

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

Get Sky Sports activities on WhatsApp!

Now you can begin receiving messages and alerts for the newest breaking sports activities information, evaluation, in-depth options and movies from our devoted WhatsApp channel!

Discover out extra right here…