Scotland Euro wildcard makes history as he helps club secure Champions League

SCOTLAND have an issue when it comes to the right-back spot for Euro 2024.

Sunsport exclusively told you that Brentford defender Aaron Hickey had lost his injury battle after becoming a regular under manager Steve Clarke for the national side.

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The former Hearts and Bolonga star, 21, will join ex-Rangers kid Nathan Patterson on the treatment table, meaning they will not be included in Clarke’s 26-man squad for the tournament in Germany next month.

Celtic man Anthony Ralston could book himself a seat on the plane after he was part of the Hoops’ successful defence of their Scottish Premiership crown, albeit as a backup to the Canadian Alistair Johnston.

But Another Scot who could also throw his name into the hat is 20-year-old full-back and namesake Max Johnston.

The Motherwell academy graduate left the country to play his football in Austria.

And joining Austrian Bundesliga side SK Sturm Graz last summer has proved successful for the right-sided youngster.

Not only has he made 20 top-flight appearances for the club, he has also helped them win both the league championship and the Austrian Cup in his debut season.

The side have also made a bit of history, breaking Red Bull Salzburg’s 10-year dominance of the division since 2014, winning their first title since 2011.

They are also the first since Salzburg to do the double since 2006.

It means Max, son of former Gers, Jambos and Scotland midfielder Allan Johnston, will play in the Champions League next season.

His old man was capped 18 times for the national side and the Sturm Graz player, who can also play as a wing-back, will be hoping he could sneak his way into the Scotland set-up.

He was included in the camp for a friendly with France in October 2023 but did not get off the substitutes bench.

His chances of going to Germany could be boosted by Clarke’s willingness to consider youngsters for the extended squads for the upcoming Euros.

We told you how Aberdeen‘s Connor Barron was in contention for a place.

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