Scotland can ‘make history’ at Euro 2024 – Robertson

Captain Andrew Robertson has told his Scotland team-mates to go and make history and qualify for the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.

Euro 2024 is Scotland’s 12th major tournament — their fourth European Championship — and they have never before progressed beyond the group stage.

Liverpool full-back Robertson emphasised the opportunity for the side to make history in Germany.

“We don’t want to have any regrets,” the 30-year-old said on the eve of the tournament opener against the hosts in Munich on Friday night.

“What’s the worst that can happen? The worst that can happen is that we join a long list of so many good Scotland teams that failed to make it through the group.

“We believe we can be the team that makes history.”

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Robertson also brushed off any concerns over his availability after he sparked panic after limping out of an open training session on Monday.

“It was just a little scare,” Robertson said. “It wasn’t great that your cameras were there, but it was just precautionary really.

“I had a little ankle and we didn’t want to aggravate it. We were pretty relaxed about it, really — but others weren’t, probably (including) my family before I could phone them.”

Head coach Steve Clarke — who has had to deal with injury-enforced withdrawals from his initial squad including Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak — confirmed there are no further concerns among the group.

“Everyone is fully fit, flying, desperate to be selected and ready to go,” he said.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann admits there has been a little “nervousness” among his players ahead of their opening game, but he feels that it is natural. He spoke about how so many people in the world “do Instagram because they want to share their moments”.

His players, he said, have the opportunity to provide the entire with country with a moment to share.

“It’s normal to have a little bit of pressure,” he said. “(But) when I talk about my players, I tell them that pressure is a privilege.

“We just have to enjoy the game. It’s a big game, let’s enjoy it, let’s try to be the better team. It’s important to feel a little pressure, but we can beat pressure and we can beat Scotland as well.”

“I don’t want to talk about the past,” he said of Germany’s poor recent tournament record. “More important is where we want to go.”

GO DEEPER

Euro 2024 Group A guide: Germany’s narrow No 10s, resolute Hungary and Scotland’s set pieces

(Jasmin Walter – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)