Scotland get shock injury boost as crocked star still hopeful of making Euros

SCOTLAND boss Steve Clarke is dealing with a host of major injuries with Euro 2024 fast approaching.

But he could be about to get an unexpected boost from one star who looked almost certain to miss out.

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Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson will be missing at the Euros while Aaron Hickey would seem unlikely to make it at this stage.

And then on Saturday, another major concern.

Stuart Armstrong was stretchered-off late on in Southampton’s 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City.

He sustained a muscle injury and left the stadium on crutches.

After the game, his boss Russell Martin described it as a “bad one” and admitted it looked like ex-Celtic ace Armstrong, 32, would miss the remainder of the campaign.

But the former Rangers and Scotland defender also said: “We are keeping our fingers crossed that it’s not as bad as everyone fears.”

And it seems like Martin’s prayers might have been answered.

He’s revealed that the club are going to do EVERYTHING they can to get Armstrong to Germany.

While Martin admitted it’s unlikely he’ll feature for the Saints again this season, he reckons he DOES have a chance of making it to the Euros.

He said: “I think he has a big chance for that. I don’t think he has any chance of playing for us, I think he has a big hope of getting in the Scotland squad.

“He’s been fantastic for them and for us this season, and he’s been in every squad. I think there’s a realistic chance of the injury.

“He has to be fit for that so we will do everything we can as a football club to help him get there, it wasn’t as serious as we all feared.

“But it is serious enough to keep him out for some time now where he can’t help us, unfortunately.

“We’ll do everything we can to get him fit and ready for Scotland, and hopefully we can see him involved in that.

“That will be a bit of good news for him to finish the season in that way. It’s his quad so it’s a muscle injury.” 

Fellow midfielder Ferguson underwent surgery on his ACL injury last week.

The Bologna captain, 24, had been enjoying a fantastic campaign in Serie A before the injury horror struck.

The former Aberdeen and Hamilton midfielder’s form had seen him linked with several of Italy’s biggest clubs, including Juventus and Napoli with a £20million price tag mooted.

But despite the injury woe, his boss Thiago Motta reckons he’ll come back better than ever.

Motta said: “I’m very sorry for what happened to Lewis. He’s a guy who does a lot for the squad, as demonstrated by the affection he received following the injury.

“I’m happy to see this brotherhood among my players – a little while ago I saw our defender Sam Beukema on his way to the hospital to visit him.

“I sincerely hope that Lewis can recover as best as possible and return to the pitch with his teammates as soon as possible.

“He has a strong mentality, he knows that in this period he will have to take some time to recover and we will help him in everything we can. I know he will return stronger for this.

“We are not looking for another Lewis Ferguson because he cannot be replaced.

“Unfortunately injuries are things that happen in football. Now someone else will have the chance to take his place and demonstrate their value.”

Speaking after learning the fate of his season-ending injury, Ferguson posted on social media: “Devastated with today’s news but that’s life. I will do everything to come back better and stronger than before. Thank you all for the support. See you soon.”

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