As Scotland prepared to take the pitch against hosts Germany in the Euro 2024 curtain-raiser on Friday, head coach Steve Clarke insisted his team should not be intimidated by their star-studded opponents.
“We have a lot of respect for the host nation and we know they’re a good team,” Clarke said. “It’s a difficult game. One of the mantras I’ve had is respect everyone and fear no one.”
Scotland are longshots to advance from their group, which also includes heavyweights Spain and rising power Norway. In 11 previous major tournament appearances, they have never made it out of the group stage.
However, Clarke believes his side is capable of rewriting history after an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them top a group featuring Spain. “We know it’s a big game, but it’s the opening game of a four-team section. We know what we need to do to qualify,” the coach stated, downplaying the significance of the high-profile opener as a “sideshow.”
Team captain Andy Robertson echoed his manager’s underdog mentality, putting the pressure squarely on the struggling German side. “No real expectation from the outside world,” said the Liverpool defender. “We’ve waited a long time for this game…We can create a bit of history.”
Germany have failed to advance past the Round of 16 in any major tournament since winning the 2014 World Cup. Robertson acknowledged the talented German midfield led by Toni Kroos but said “all eyes will be on us” as Scotland aims to pull off an opening night upset in front of a global audience.
One key advantage for the Scots could be the fervent support of the traveling Tartan Army. Pre-tournament estimates suggested up to 200,000 Scottish fans could descend on host cities across Germany.
“The Tartan Army have been amazing since day one. There’s a lot of them over here and we hope to make them proud,” Robertson said wistfully. “We know they can’t get into the stadium – we wish they could. We want to give them plenty to shout about.”
Scotland’s passionate supporters will undoubtedly make their presence felt in the city’s famous beer gardens as kick-off approaches. But once the whistle blows, it will be up to Clarke’s gritty side to show they belong on soccer’s biggest stage against the European
