Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland would lose a "massive player" if Scott McTominay were to miss the Euros, says Michael Grant of The Times.

There were fears the Manchester United midfielder may miss this summer's tournament after he left the field in discomfort in a 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday.

But the midfielder took to social media on Tuesday to say his injury is "nothing serious" and he hopes to be back "soon".

"There was a real 'pit of your stomach' feeling when we heard about McTominay," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It didn't look good. There was a rumour during the rounds yesterday that he was going to be out for three to four months."

"To have lost McTominay would have been an enormous blow to Scotland. Seven goals in qualifying last year. Just a massive, massive player and influence for us.

"If we're to do anything at this tournament, we need the key players, the absolute foundations of the side, and he's one of them."

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Has Billy Gilmour made himself one of the first names in Scotland's XI?

That’s the view of The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, who says the Brighton midfielder’s importance to Steve Clarke can’t be downplayed.

Gilmour left Chelsea in the summer of 2022 in search of more first-team football, but the influence of midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo made it difficult for the Scot to force his way into Roberto de Zerbi’s team last term.

That’s changed this season, though, with Gilmour playing a key role in the Brighton midfield prior to his recent injury, which he made a return from in Sunday’s Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.

And Campbell feels the 22-year-old's development this campaign has only elevated his status as a Scotland player.

"I don't even think you can overestimate how important Gilmour is now to Scotland," Campbell said on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Go back even two or three years ago, he cemented himself in the Scotland team, but it still felt like there were some games Clarke perhaps preferred somebody else.

"But with his development over the last couple of years at Brighton, he's now turning into the player everyone hoped he would become.

"He's done so well to navigate his career, to get out of there and go to a progressive club like Brighton. You've seen him transform his body. He looks like a Premier League athlete now.

"He can get around the pitch, he's really robust and it's massive for Scotland he's back because I think he's one of the first, if not the first name on the team sheet now."

There are "a lot of worries" around the Switzerland squad as they prepare to compete in Scotland's group at Euro 2024 this summer, says Swiss football expert Craig King.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

Suddenly James Forrest is Celtic's man of the moment, marking his first start in five months with a match-winning double at Dundee last Sunday.

He also contributed a goal off the bench in the Scottish Cup semi-final success the previous weekend and I’m surprised he hasn’t been back involved sooner and making more appearances. He’s been fit and Celtic have been having problems in the wide areas.

Brandan Rodgers recently said Forrest is the best winger in his squad – a statement I agree with – so why hasn’t he been involved more?

I’m not surprised he’s making the impact he’s making. And, without getting too carried away, the national team is suffering some injuries and the squads have been stretched to 26 players, so I think it’s a no-brainer to have him in the Scotland set-up for Euro 2024.

He makes things happen, he scores goals, he’s a good character, he’s got experience. He could even fill in as right wing-back as well.

I wouldn’t be looking for him there, I’d be looking at him as inside forward. Or, we don’t have natural width in the squad, whereas Forrest can do that.

Just for a number of reasons, it would be a sensible decision to include him. And what a fairytale end to the season that would be for him.

It’s very, very positive for Celtic that they’ve got someone like that, who almost feels like a new player for them, for the run-in as they chase a league and Scottish Cup double.

Look at last week's semi-final against Aberdeen. The wide areas were terrible. Aberdeen were brilliant at shutting Celtic down. When you’re playing against teams like that who are man to man and not giving you any time, you need guys in the wide areas that can go one-v-one, take people on and get in behind.

Forrest came on and made a difference because he has that quality to make things happen.

It’s a massive bonus for Celtic because there’s an edginess that creeps in when things are tight at this stage of the season and Forrest has got the experience and the talent.

Michael Stewart was speaking to BBC Sport Scotland's Martin Watt

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Scotland's injury nightmare continued at the weekend when Scott McTominay was seen rolling around the Old Trafford turf in agony before being substituted in Manchester United's Premier League draw with Burnley.

Luckily, McTominay took to social media on Monday to ease concerns by saying his knee issue is "nothing serious". Phew.

Now Liverpool's Premier League title hopes look all but over, the Tartan Army wouldn't mind seeing Andy Robertson wrapped up in cotton wool between now and the end of the season.

But the Scotland captain was still motoring up the left-hand side during his side's disappointing draw at West Ham on Saturday.

Robertson has continued to impress for Liverpool despite a rough run of form and netted an equaliser at the weekend before the game went on to finish 2-2.

A division below, fellow Scotland team-mate and QPR striker Lyndon Dykes made it two in two on Friday, scoring his side's third in a 4-0 triumph over promotion-chasing Leeds.

That takes Dykes' league tally for the season to six - a total that's bettered by Scotland Under-21 striker Tommy Conway, who took his Championship tally for Bristol City to 10 on Saturday with a penalty against Rotherham.

Could the 21-year-old perhaps sneak his way into an increased squad?

Another potential wildcard pick could be Liam Lindsay, who was announced as Preston's players' player of the year on Monday.

The former Partick Thistle defender is uncapped at international level at the age of 28, but he has excelled in the Championship again this season and provides Steve Clarke with an option given the ongoing injury issues.

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James Forrest insists he has not thought about a potential Scotland recall, despite his triumphant return to the Celtic starting XI.

Forrest scored twice against Dundee in just his fourth start of the season, building on his goal-scoring cameo off the bench against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

The 32-year-old has not played for Scotland since 2021, but Steve Clarke is short of options at both wing-back and attacking midfield after recent injuries, with Forrest capable of playing both positions.

“Honestly, I have not thought about it," Forrest said, when asked about a potential call-up for the Euros.

“I wasn’t in the [Celtic] squad around January and February and I have been buzzing being back in about it. I have managed to get on the scoresheet a few times and come on and helped the team. I just want to keep taking it game by game and help out here.”

Forrest has no other concrete plans for this summer, and would undoubtedly answer the call were it to come.

“Obviously in football, you never book your holidays early anyway, it’s always last minute," he said

“If you ask any Scottish player, they would want to be involved. I went to the last Euros and it was a great experience, right from the first day of camp to the end. It was really good to be part of.

“But I’m going to just concentrate on the games here.”

A View from the Terrace meet figures from Scotland captain and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson's past, who recall his journey up the football ranks.

Watch A View from the Terrace on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer from 22:30 BST

Scotland manager Steve Clarke discusses his excitement for Euro 2024 and says it feels "more like a proper tournament" after the national team's previous appearance at the finals took place with reduced crowds amid Covid restrictions.

Listen to the full interview with Clarke on the BBC's This Sporting Life podcast.

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Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean has been named Norwich City's player of the season.

An ever-present for the Canaries in their Championship campaign, the 32-year-old has broadened his horizons - featuring as a centre-half in a back four at times.

McLean has scored once and picked up five assists, earning the votes of Norwich supporters for the award.

"Obviously, I'm really happy with the award and the fact that the fans have voted for me to win it is pretty nice," he told club media.

"We had a few candidates, which is good and means it's been pretty good, especially recently. It's great, and I appreciate all the support we've had, for me personally, and for the team throughout the season."

Scotland manager Steve Clarke sits down with BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English on the latest episode of This Sporting Life.

Clarke opens up about the death of his father, missing out on the World Cup, how the late Gianluca Vialli turned him to coaching and his excitement at leading his country to the Euros.

Listen to the full episode here.

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The countdown to Euro 2024 is well and truly on.

It's now just 50 days until the eyes of the footballing world are on Scotland as they kick-off the tournament against host nation Germany.

The Allianz Arena in Munich is the venue as the Tartan Army get set for their first major tournament with no restrictions on fans in 26 years.

While Steve Clarke's side may be out of form at the moment, they've shown before they know how to rise to the occasion on the big stage.

Could they start the summer with an almighty shock?

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With the involvement of injured duo Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey at Euro 2024 very much in doubt, Steve Clarke could have a problem to solve at right-wing back.

Perhaps the Scotland boss only has to look at his previous employer to find a potential solution.

Kilmarnock's Danny Armstrong has been a standout at Rugby Park this term, playing either as a right-wing back or winger in Derek McInnes' Europe-chasing side.

The 26-year-old has provided 10 assists and scored six goals in the Premiership this term, all while creating 78 chances across 33 games.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, coach and analyst John Walker "could see Armstrong as a wildcard".

"I could see it just because he's got flexibility in different positions," Walker adds.

"He allows you to play him as a wing-back and he allows you to have an actual winger in the squad, which we're desperately lacking and don't have to maybe change the system.

"But I think Hickey will still be there. I know he won't have played [for Brentford], but he'll be there and he'll play."

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Could Ryan Christie's versatility ease Steve Clarke's growing injury concerns?

In the past week, Scotland midfielders Lewis Ferguson and Stuart Armstrong have both suffered blows that could rule them out of Euro 2024, while Billy Gilmour also remains out as Callum McGregor works his way back to full match sharpness.

Until this season, Christie had almost always been deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder throughout his career, but Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has used him in a deeper role this term.

Last month, Christie's underlying numbers as a midfielder were ranking him above the likes of Manchester City's Rodri and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes in certain categories.

And Scottish coach and analysist John Walker feels Christie's recent development could be vital for Clarke.

"I always thought Christie was somebody in a Scotland squad that could be replaced in the starting 11," Walker said on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"Before the international break he was in top 10 for midfielders in Premier League for presses, overturns, high presses and pressing passers.

"And his game intelligence just appears through the roof. When I watch him, it is genuinely seeing a different player.

"He picks the ball up off centre-halves. He's normally sometimes the deepest-lying playmaker. He's creating more chances from a deeper position than he ever did.

"I think he's at the age now he's finally found a position he looks like he's been playing the whole time because he's so technically good on the ball. He looks like one of those Spanish midfielders from 2010."

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Bologna players paid tribute to stricken Scot Lewis Ferguson as they boosted the club's Champions League hopes with a stunning Serie A win at Roma on Monday night.

Ferguson's team-mates took to the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico carrying his number 19 shirt in a show of support, and also held it aloft in post-match celebrations.

Scotland midfielder Ferguson has been a driving force in Bologna's stellar season but is now watching from the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury that looks set to ruin his Euro 2024 dream.

Bologna's win put them seven points clear of fifth-place Roma, who have a game in hand.

Uefa is set to confirm nations will have 26-man squads for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.

A meeting of the European governing body’s national competitions committee voted in favour of the change, which is set to be ratified by the executive committee later this week.

Uefa had planned to revert back to 23-man squads after allowing the three-man expansion for Euro 2020 due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

But several international coaches were critical of 23-man squads and the suggestion to stick with 26 players arose at a recent Euro 2024 coaches meeting, where the idea gained widespread support.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has been affected by injuries with Everton's Nathan Patterson and Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson set to miss the tournament and Southampton's Stuart Armstrong also a doubt.

Read the full story here

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Scotland are expected to be given the opportunity to select 26 players in their Euro 2024 squad after Uefa voted in favour of expanding squads from the 23-player limit. (Sky Sports), external

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