Scotland has participated in 12 major international tournaments, but has yet to advance to a knockout stage. Their sole objective for Euro 2024 is to break this streak. Under the leadership of Steve Clarke, Scotland will kick off the tournament against hosts Germany in Munich, and they will also face Switzerland and Hungary in Group A. Although their group presents challenges, finishing third could be sufficient to advance to the last 16, making the dream of a knockout stage appearance well within their grasp.
Once the Euros kicks off, fans from all over the world will have an interest in betting on soccer. There is no shortage of betting sites available to do that. The question is whether it’ll be worthwhile to bet on Scotland to get positive results and advance beyond the group stage.
The answer to that question could depend on what 23 players Clarke decides to bring with him to the tournament. Let’s take a closer look at what Scotland’s roster for the 2024 Euros could look like.
Goalie
Angus Gunn has held the position of Scotland’s top goalkeeper since the beginning of the Euros qualifying campaign, displacing Craig Gordon as Clarke’s preferred choice following an unsuccessful World Cup qualifying effort. Zander Clark serves as the backup goalkeeper, having surpassed Gordon as the primary goalkeeper for Hearts. Despite this, Gordon is expected to join the squad for Euro 2024 ahead of uncapped Liam Kelly. Gordon’s wealth of experience should allow him to make a positive impact for the Scots both on and off the field during the tournament.
Defenders
Due to Aaron Hickey’s extended injury absence, the right-back position is open for competition. At the moment, Nathan Patterson looks to be ahead of Anthony Ralston in the race to start the tournament opener against Germany.
Meanwhile, captain Andy Robertson has solidified his place as the left-back, leaving Kieran Tierney to adapt to a role as a backup central defender to earn his spot on the roster. Of course, Tierney can also serve as a backup right-back as well, so his versatility should put on the roster.
Finally, Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna and the primary options in central defense. That will leave Tierney and Ryan Porteous prepared to step in if any injuries occur. Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, and Greg Taylor are also in the mix. That should give Scotland good depth along the back four but could leave some deserving players off the roster.
Midfield
Scotland boasts significant top-level experience in midfield. John McGinn, a crucial player for Aston Villa, has long been a linchpin for his national team. The same can be said of Scott McTominay, who has successfully transitioned into an attacking midfield role for Scotland, prompting Erik ten Hag to emulate Clarke’s strategy by deploying him similarly at Manchester United.
With McGinn and McTominay, the Scots have a healthy midfield that should give them a chance to compete with the top teams in Europe. But Scotland can go even deeper in the midfield. Despite Celtic’s Callum McGregor missing recent friendly matches, he is expected to recover in time to play this summer. Plus Billy Gilmour holds the potential to play a significant role in Scotland’s advancement. Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie provide further options for what is one of the deepest midfields Scotland has had in a long time.
Forwards
The focal point for Scotland’s attack is Lawrence Shankland, who currently leads the Scottish Premiership with 20 goals for Hearts. He’s notably six goals ahead of his closest competitor, making him an attacking option that Scotland’s opponents may not know. While Shankland has primarily operated around the penalty area and Scotland’s playing style demands significant off-the-ball work, his impressive scoring record has made him impossible to overlook.
Meanwhile, Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes are the more experienced international players in the mix. Shankland is surely in Clarke’s plans for this summer. But he still needs to prove that he can produce at the international level. If not, Adams and Dykes should see plenty of the pitch for Scotland this summer.
