Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Scotland
Scotland have got the taste for major tournaments again having qualified for a second straight European Championship. So will they improve on a group stage exit at Euro 2020?
Get clued up on Steve Clarke's side with Odds Now's comprehensive team guide, featuring tactical analysis, players to watch out for, predicted line-ups, betting tips and more.
How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024
Having ended a 23-year hiatus from major tournament finals at the delayed Euro 2020, Clarke and Scotland have repeated the trick four years later thanks to a hugely impressive qualifying campaign.
The Tartan Army were pooled with three-time winners Spain, Erling Haaland-led Norway and a rapidly improving Georgia side in Group A but remarkably qualified for the finals with two games to spare.
Kicking off with five straight wins would not have been on even the most optimistic Scot’s bingo card, with a memorable 2-0 triumph over the mighty La Roja at an electric Hampden Park the undoubted highlight.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay bagged both that night and ended up with a seven-goal haul in qualification — a tally only bettered by Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.
Perhaps most encouraging of all, however, is the Scots’ new-found ability to grind out results against sides of a similar stature to themselves.
Scotland's squad for Euro 2024
Scotland named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), James Forrest (Celtic), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Lewis Morgan (New York RB)
Forwards: Ché Adams (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Scotland's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Scotland's star player — John McGinn
Scotland’s current crop boasts a healthy balance of emerging stars, reliable performers and a dash of star quality from the likes of McTominay, Andy Robertson and John McGinn.
And while the former pair ply their trades at two of English football’s traditional giants, it is the Aston Villa skipper who has shone brightest during his country’s recent renaissance.
As Villa fans will testify, the stocky midfield maestro offers a wealth of quality on the ball matched by a tireless workrate off it.
In Scotland’s eight Euro 2024 qualifiers, McGinn ranked in the top 5% of all midfielders for successful tackles, setting the tone with his tenacious pressing.
Yet 16 direct goal contributions at club level in 2023-24 (nine goals, seven assists) showcases an underrated clinical edge, with 17 strikes in 57 international appearances giving him a scoring rate more akin to an out-and-out centre forward.
Crucially, McGinn enjoys an excellent relationship with boss Clarke, who he credits for helping salvage his Villa Park career.
And the feeling is clearly mutual, with Clarke describing the ex-Hibernian ace as a “crucial player on and off the pitch” during his reign.
Scotland's one to watch — Ben Doak
Most of Scotland’s squad picked itself but the wildcard inclusion of Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is an intriguing one indeed.
Still uncapped at senior level, the 18-year-old winger has made 10 first-team appearances for his club — a tally which would surely be even higher had it not been for a cruel meniscus tear sustained last December.
Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of how impressed he has been with Doak since first locking eyes on him.
Prior to handing the teen his senior debut, the German said: “Ben’s instructions were easy — ‘Do what you do all the time’.
“He’s a really lively boy, a smart player, good dribbler, fast, can use both legs.
“It was nice to watch because he came in with the squad and obviously a lot of things just come really natural to him.”
Clarke clearly concurs, believing the youngster offers something different to the other forwards in his ranks.
The Scotland boss explained: “Ben has a lot of talent, he catches your eye and the pace is something we haven't got in abundance.
"It's a little bit different, he's young and has a lot to learn in the game. It just seemed like the right opportunity with the squad going from 23 to 26."
With Scotland likely to be chasing a game or two this summer, having someone as raw and electric as Doak on the bench may prove a masterstroke.
Scotland's manager — Steve Clarke
Clarke has worked under many of football’s greatest minds but is now forging his own legacy as a master tactician.
The Chelsea icon earned his stripes in the coaching setups of the Blues, West Ham, Newcastle and Liverpool before stepping into management with West Brom in 2012.
Clarke has a knack for making a quick impact in jobs. His first season with the Baggies brought an eighth place finish in the Premier League — their highest since 1981. Soon after, he led Reading to their first FA Cup semi-final in 88 years.
But it was a return home with Kilmarnock where the 60-year-old really showed his class, turning the club he supported as a boy into a real force.
He set a record points tally in his first season at Rugby Park and bettered it again the following year en route to a remarkable third-place finish, prompting Scotland to come calling.
If Clarke’s first Euros qualification was somewhat fortunate, this latest achievement was anything but. He has injected organisation, balance and a dash of flair into a side who were in the doldrums prior to his arrival.
Pragmatic in his game management, the fiery boss will be fully focused on finding a way to guide his nation into Euro 2024’s knockout stages against the odds.
Scotland's Euro 2024 betting odds
Scotland to win Euro 2024 - 125/1
Scotland to reach the Euro 2024 final - 40/1
Scotland to win Group A - 9/1
Scotland’s top team goalscorer - Lawrence Shankland 3/1, Che Adams 7/2, Lyndon Dykes 4/1, John McGinn 6/1, Scott McTominay 8/1, 10/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 28/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Scotland at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now's Matthew Hill:
“Qualifying for a second straight European Championship is a fantastic achievement in itself for Steve Clarke and Scotland, though they won’t be arriving in Germany to make up the numbers.
“Clarke faced criticism in some quarters after Euro 2020 for lacking bravery after his side managed just a solitary point and a goal from their three outings — so it’s fair to say the handbrake may be let off a bit more the second time around.
“The draw could have been far kinder to the Tartan Army, who will open proceedings against hosts Germany before clashes with tournament veterans Switzerland and a Hungary side who convincingly topped their qualifying group.
“Finishing third could be enough to reach the knockout stages, which is uncharted territory, so don’t be surprised to see the Scots take the game to the Swiss in their second outing.
“Ultimately though, a final showdown with Hungary looks a tough ask and EVS about an early exit is probably value.
“Without a top-class No9, onus will be on the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay to score the goals and the latter has been prolific for his nation recently.
“It’s definitely worth having McTominay on side in the top team goalscorer market at a generous 5/1, where a solitary strike may even be enough to cash.”
Matt's Best Bets
Scotland to exit in the group stage - EVS (Bet365)
Scott McTominay top Scotland goalscorer - 8/1 (BetVictor)