Scotland get serious as Steve Clarke’s men eye their chance to make history
Scotland are clear underdogs against Germany but Clarke’s class of 2024 have given supporters a reason to believe
It felt significant that John McGinn’s viral bout of Bavarian dancing as the Scotland team were welcomed to their training base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen did not precede interviews with the Aston Villa midfielder. As in, not a single one. On Sunday evening, for a brief time only, McGinn and Scotland had their fun. They have not arrived in Germany as a circus act. The sole focus is on competing at the European Championship. Nobody is here to have their tummy tickled.
If an opening meeting with the hosts sounds galling to the Tartan Army, they must consider the alternatives. From 1996 until 2021, Scotland did not feature in the Euros. From 1998 until the same point, the Scots did not play in any major tournament. Anxiety over a clash with a seemingly reinvigorated Germany team is clearly preferable to watching from afar.
