Scotland head into Euro 2024 with an unusual sense of optimism in the air.
The Tartan Army take part in their fourth European Championship having never progressed past the group stage – including the last three years in disappointing style at Euro 2020.
But after qualifying with games to spare this time, there is real hope that Steve Clarke's men may have what it takes to progress.
Can this Scottish team take the next step and make their mark on the international stage? Let's dig deeper to find out…
Branding… easy!
Scotland qualifying for a major tournament is rare enough, so to be relieved to have done so is something that cannot happen.
They needed a nail-biting play-off against Cyprus to qualify for Euro 2020 but this time it went very well.
They were 14-1 outsiders to win against a team featuring 2012 winners Spain and Erling Haaland's Norway, with the Scots claiming the skin of both sides during a memorable campaign, with Scott McTominay turning into the expected goalscoring machine.
They spent most of the campaign in top spot before being knocked out by Spain but after Germany's spot this summer was already secured.
With five wins from eight games overall and promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, Scotland look ready to face Europe's top teams.
Wrong time?
After qualifying last fall while riding a wave, Clarke could have been forgiven for wanting the tournament to start there and then, with their form since then hitting a sticky patch.
After promotion to the League of Nations, Scotland organized friendly matches against top-level opponents – facing England, France and the Netherlands.
Those three games between September and March ended in 3-1, 4-1 and 4-0 defeats… before they lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland.
It was a stark reminder of the action needed to be a threat on the international stage.
Their pre-tournament warm-up games have somewhat dampened hope. After struggling to win 2-0 against minnows Gibraltar, they conceded a two-goal deficit to draw with Finland.
Their team
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland ✅#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/GRedQ1cVPj
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) December 2, 2023
Although it could have been worse, going into a group made up of Germany, Switzerland and Hungary will not be a walk in the park and they surprisingly outclassed the group 11-1.
They will be watched by the whole of Europe when they start the tournament against the hosts on Friday, and hope is growing for their nation's prospects under Julian Nagelsmann.
Taking anything from that opening game looks a tall order and the Scots will look to the next two games as an opportunity to get the points they need.
That's easier said than done. Switzerland will not be a threat in the grand prize but are a team with tournament experience, while Hungary have notable stars in their ranks.
But with the format allowing third place in the group to qualify for the playoffs, it could be a game for everyone.
Clarke told BBC Sport: “The bottom line is we need four points to get out of the group, that pretty much guarantees he'll be out of the group forever. That happens all the time
“Three points and a goal difference of zero is likely to leave the team so that's what we have to look at – every game is one, make sure we compete in every game and you actually go into the last game with a chance. eligibility.
“We play Hungary in the last game, that's where we want to be – in the same situation where we know we can get a result and we can go in.”
Who will they face if they leave the group?
If Scotland can make a big splash and win Group A, they will face group runners-up England.
That means that Denmark is in the Last 16, before they beat their enemies Spain in the quarter-finals without being top of Group B.
If it finishes second in the group, it is possible to compete in the last 16 with one of Spain, Italy or Croatia. Get through that and it could be England in the quarter-finals. Yes!
Finishing third in the group could result in a draw for the same top-level name in Group B, E or F – which contains Spain, Belgium and Portugal respectively.
Who will be the key to them?
🔢 Yours @EURO2024 Scotland team numbers 🏴#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/g0cevYWsNS
– Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 10, 2024
Scotland is not short of homegrown names that we often see lighting up the Premier League but there are a few gaps that stand out in the side that Clarke should choose from.
Captain Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney form a strong left-back, with Brighton creator Billy Gilmour also working in those areas.
Jack Hendry and Nathan Patterson probably don't offer the same threat on the right, which creates an imbalance in the squad.
That's not to say there isn't plenty of quality elsewhere, with McTominay staying alive in his national side, as is fellow midfielder John McGinn who recently enjoyed an excellent campaign for Aston Villa.
The duo will be tasked with offloading the scoring burden from the young goal-scorers, with Lyndon Dykes out and Che Adams not being the number 9.
Laurence Shankland has been impressive with 31 goals for Hearts this season, though. The 31-year-old is brimming with confidence and could prove something unknown on the continent.
Only good vibes
Despite a few disappointing results in the build-up to the tournament, Clarke has no time for any negatives as they begin another big tournament.
He said: “Whenever I read a snippet of someone who wants to be a bad Norman I just dismiss it because what's wrong?
“We are going to another big tournament, the squad is in a good place and we are all determined to do as well as we can in our country. Why not just relax and enjoy?
“That is what we will try to do. Obviously we have to try to produce goods on the pitch and that's what we're going to do.
“I don't understand why anyone would be upset about the second European Championship in a row with a really good group of players who have shown how good they are in their country.
“Let's follow them and give them a real chance.
Welcome party 🇩🇪
🕺 @jmcginn7 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/RUErC8rTRO
– Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 9, 2024
The decision
Scotland have come on leaps and bounds in three years and how well they swept Euro 2020 – apart from that England draw – is certainly not in question.
Clarke's men have a real chance of making history by reaching the knockout stages, something no other Scottish team has achieved, and they have as good a chance as Switzerland or Hungary in that group.
But even worrying about the big nations when they get there might be a step too far.
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