Steve Clarke announced a 28-man squad for Scotland’s upcoming friendlies in June ahead of Euro 2024 getting underway.
The Tartan Army will play out friendlies versus Gibraltar on June 3 and Finland on June 7 before Clarke has to trim his squad down to 26 players ahead of their first Euro 2024 game against Germany on June 14.
The friendly meetings should give Clarke a good chance to make an informed decision over which seven players will have to be cut.
Scotland Euro 2024 Provisional 28-man Squad
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Motherwell).
Defenders: Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Greg Taylor (Celtic), John Souttar (Rangers), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City).
Midfielders: Callum McGregor (Celtic), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Jack (Rangers).
Forwards: Lyndon Dykes (Queen’s Park Rangers), Che Adams (Southampton), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ben Doak (Liverpool), James Forrest (Celtic).
Scotland Euro 2024 Squad: Who Are The Outsiders?
We have taken a look at some of the fringe players named in the current Scotland squad to asses if they should be on the plane to Germany.
Ben Doak (Liverpool)
One of Scotland’s main issues at Euro 2020 was a lack of goals. They scored just once as they crashed out in the group phase.
In an attempt to rectify that issue this time around, Steve Clarke has called up five forwards to Scotland’s provisional squad, rather than his usual three. One of the fresh names called up is Liverpool’s Ben Doak. The 18-year-old made just five senior appearances for the Reds in 2023/24 and is yet to score a goal for his club at first-team level. However, he has four goals in nine at under-17 level and two in seven at under-21 level for his country. It is by no means a staggering record, but Scotland can do with all the help they can get at Euro 2024.
James Forrest (Celtic)
James Forrest has been absent from the national team fold for some time barring the odd appearance here and there due to injury issues.
However, he has once again been called up ahead of the Euros after scoring seven and assisting two in 27 games for Celtic this past season. Forest is by no means a prolific goalscorer, netting five in 38 for Scotland, but his versatility will be useful in Germany as he is capable of playing all across the frontline.
Ryan Jack (Rangers)
Ryan Jack is one of the oldest players included in Steve Clarke’s 28-man squad on Wednesday and while he could add some much-needed experience off the pitch, he is unlikely to see too much action on the field if he makes the final 26-man side.
Jack has not played for Rangers since March due to a muscle injury and similar issues over the last year mean he has played just 12 minutes for his country since June, 2023. Given Scotland’s lack of quality depth and Stuart Armstrong also dealing with an injury problem of his own, Jack may be included simply to make up numbers but don’t expect him to start much in Germany.
Today’s Football Tips
International football does not get back underway until next month. But there is a Europa League clash taking place today, as Atalanta off with Bayer Leverkusen.
The pair are set to battle it out in this season’s Europa League final on Wednesday evening, and we’ve got it covered with our bet builder of the day article, while for those of you looking to place an acca, we have our acca of the day lined up and ready to go.
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