Scotland could take four goalkeepers to Euro 2024 after major Uefa rule change

STEVE CLARKE has been boosted by the news he can take 26 players to the Euros.

UEFA originally wanted 23-man squads at this summer’s Germany finals.

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But SunSport revealed the Scotland boss joined other participating coaches at a meeting in Frankfurt last month to plea for an increase.

And their voices have been heard.

The National Competitions Committee passed a vote earlier this week with the decision now set to be officially rubber-stamped in the coming days.

And it opens the door for Clarke to take extra players to the tournament for the glamour games against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

That could even see him take FOUR goalkeepers.

Without the rule change, Clarke was faced with a major decision on whether to pick experienced Craig Gordon at the expense of Zander Clark or Liam Kelly.

But it’s now possible he could pick all three keepers as back-up to Angus Gunn.

Crucially, Clarke also has more scope to pick players who have been carrying injuries.

Lewis Ferguson is definitely OUT after undergoing knee surgery.

But there are a number of players rated as doubts.

Aaron Hickey is facing a race against time to be fit for the tournament kick-off.

The Brentford right-back has been out of action with a hamstring injury since October and rated at 50/50.

But with Nathan Patterson crocked, Clarke may now be able to take the risk of picking Hickey even if he’s not 100 percent and ready to play in the Munich opener.

It’s a similar situation with midfielder Billy Gilmour.

The 22-year-old Brighton midfielder has picked up a knee injury in the friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden last month.

Gilmour is still hopeful of winning his fitness battle but is another major doubt.

Grant Hanley has been crocked at Championship promotion chasing Norwich but desperate to be picked.

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Luton striker Jacob Brown is also fighting back from a knee injury with Rangers ace Ryan Jack getting treatment for a troublesome calf issue. 

While the injury Stuart Armstrong sustained at the weekend may not be as bad as first feared.

All those players could be handed a lifeline now if they can prove they are capable of being available for selection at some stage of the tournament.

Clarke, however, may see it as an opportunity to include younger players as part of his squad like he did with Patterson and Gilmour at the last Euros.

Those two kids only forced their way into the squad because UEFA  increased the numbers from 23 to 26 due to Covid.

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