Making Euros history with this injury-plagued Scotland team would be incredible

TAKING Scotland to the Euro 2024 knockout stages would be the biggest achievement of Steve Clarke’s career.

If he does it against the backdrop of growing injury problems, it would be even more incredible.

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Before anyone starts, this is not a tale of doom and gloom over Scotland’s chances in Germany.

With less than two weeks to go to the Euros, I am as buzzing about the finals as any Tartan Army member.

The last Euros were such an anti-climax, what with all the Covid restrictions.

Three years on, this will feel like a proper tournament.

But I can’t be the only Scotland fan concerned about the injuries and doubts over several players as we get this close to the big kick-off.

Lyndon Dykes being carried off in training yesterday was the latest blow for Clarke.

We can only hope the QPR striker hasn’t suffered a major injury to add to our woes.

The trio of Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson have already been ruled out.

Stuart Armstrong and John Souttar haven’t been in full training, and Grant Hanley has hardly had any game time at all since March.

Ben Doak hasn’t played a Liverpool first-team game since December, and is still working to a fitness programme according to Scotland No 2 John Carver.

So while Clarke has most of his core squad and main men available, there is no doubt his options are limited.

Making history and steering Scotland out of Group A was always going to be a massive task for the national team boss.

It has been made even more difficult for Clarke by the injury problems he has.

But if there is one man you want in charge at a time like this, it’s him.

I’ve never been shy to tell people that the Scotland boss is the best coach I have ever worked under.

His attention to detail and organisation is second to none. When he sends a team out, every player understands their role.

That is why the work Clarke has done with Scotland over the last five years is so crucial at this stage in the build-up to the tournament itself.

He has found a system and a way of playing, and has spent years honing it.

Anybody coming into the squad will be fully aware of what is expected of them — with and without the ball.

Anthony Ralston and Ross McCrorie are probably third and fourth choice for the right wing-back role when everybody is fit.

But no matter who is chosen for that role against Germany on June 14, they will be prepared.

That’s where Clarke comes into his own.

This hasn’t been the ideal preparation with the injury problems, but he will remain calm.

There will be no panic from the Scotland boss and that will filter down to his players.

Clarke has also fostered a brilliant team spirit, and that is going to be so important over the next few weeks, and hopefully beyond if we progress in the tournament.

Those Scotland players will be spending a lot of time in each other’s company, but you can tell there is a bond among them.

Clarke has placed great importance in that togetherness and wants a tight-knit squad.

The Scotland boys gathered for some golf and a darts night earlier this week and that only helps with the team unity.

Clarke understands the vital importance of keeping his squad occupied away from the games and training.

But there is no doubt the serious stuff would have started at Lesser Hampden in the last few days.

There have been too many summers in the last 25 years when friendlies in June were no more than meaningless kickabouts.

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Not this time — because the Gibraltar and Finland games are crucial going into the tournament.

For a start, Scotland are seven games without a victory and that has to end in Faro on Monday night.

Then following that up with another strong performance against the Finns at Hampden on Friday is even more important for the team.

These two games provide a chance for certain players to stake a claim to be on the plane — and in the team.

Souttar and Armstrong sat out the end of the club season, and surely need to get some minutes in their legs if they are to make the final 26-man squad.

Hanley is another one who needs to prove his fitness after such a stop-start campaign with Norwich City.

Doak is the youngster of the squad at 18, but for me he must be on that plane to Germany.

The Liverpool winger can be a game-changer with his pace off the bench, but his hopes of making the squad will be boosted if he gets his debut beforehand.

Ralston and McCrorie will both have a chance to stake their claim for that role on the right.

Then you have the midfield area, where there will be an odd man out of the five vying for a start. Ryan Christie has had a brilliant season for Bournemouth, but faces a real fight getting in the team.

There is so much riding on these games and the Scotland boss will be demanding high standards. Clarke never gives too much away, but has been open about his ambitions of getting out of the group this summer.

He hasn’t been dealt an easy hand with all these injuries — but if anyone can make history it’s this Scotland boss.

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