Scotland Men's Football Team

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Lewis Morgan can bring a different dimension to Scotland's attack at the Euros, says head coach Steve Clarke.

The New York Red Bulls winger was a shock late call-up on Thursday morning following injuries to forwards Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak.

Clarke admits he has tended to avoid calling up out-and-out widemen in the past, believing Morgan can feature in a variety of positions in Germany.

“He can bring us something a little bit different," he said.

"He’s obviously gone to MLS and had a had a great time out there. It shows that we do look far and wide at players.

“I don’t tend to pick wingers, as I keep getting told, but we have players that can play in wide positions and Lewis can certainly do that.

“Although, having watched a lot of his stuff in the last three or four days, he has also adapted his game a little bit and can play as a striker or a second striker, so he’s got a few strings to his bow that will give us more attacking options.”

The short-notice, long-haul journey from New York City to Glasgow did not faze Morgan during a phone call with performance director Graeme Jones.

Clarke added: “When Graeme started to explain the situation and logistics with Lewis, he said ‘I’ll stop you there, I’m coming’.

"So that reaction that tells you how pleased he is."

Anthony Ralston says he is using Champions League experience with Celtic to prepare for Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who was named in Steve Clarke's provisional squad, has not featured in a European match at club level since 2022.

However, having turned out in multiple campaigns in the Champions League and Europa League, Ralston believes his continental know-how can make a difference in Germany.

"It's about taking experiences you've had over the course of your career," he said.

"I've been lucky enough to have been involved in environments and games like that [the Champions League] where it's at the top level, you need to be on top of your game.

"We're lucky that we've got a lot of boys who have played at that level and we've got a lot of experience as well.

"It's the type of games you need to bring all of that, be fully focused and be 100% ready."

When asked how much it would mean to make Clarke's final squad, which will be trimmed from 28 to 26 players on Friday, Ralston added: "It would mean a hell of a lot.

"It's something when you grow up as a young boy, watching tournaments on the TV, you can only dream of being part of one and you work your full career to be in the position to be part of it."

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An extension to Steve Clarke's contract as Scotland head coach could be "on the cards", says Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney.

The 60-year-old's deal runs out at the end of the next World Cup cycle in 2026.

Clarke became the first Scotland boss to lead the nation to successive European Championships after ending a 23-year wait to appear at a major tournament.

But Mulraney says the SFA feel no need to rush into discussions and praised the manager's commitment to the role.

“I think a couple of years [left on the contract] is a good timeframe for any football manager," he said.

"Steve will, after the Euros, lead us into the next campaign. Thereafter, absolutely it is on the cards.

"If Steve wants to stay, we can see an avenue where that is the case. There are conversations every time we meet each other.

"Steve’s interested in how we make the game better in Scotland. He’s so interested in improving everything - from the fans' experience, from young players to his national team."

Head coach Steve Clarke says there has been too much negativity in the wake of Scotland's laboured warm-up win over Gibraltar as his side prepare to head into their second consecutive European Championship.

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Angus Gunn says he has "never looked back" since switching allegiance from England to become Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper.

The Norwich City number one, having previously played for England from Under-16 to Under-21 level, chose Steve Clarke's side last year as he qualifies through his Thurso-born dad Bryan, who won six Scotland caps.

Speaking on a bonus episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Gunn recalled his debut - the 3-0 win over Cyprus in the Euro 2024 qualifying opener 15 months ago that was swiftly followed by the momentous 2-0 victory over Spain.

"I felt like going into training I had to show the best version of myself and I feel I did do that," the 28-year-old said.

"When I got the nod to start the first game it was a great feeling and I've never really looked back.

"Obviously there was a lot of nerves, I didn't know what to expect. It probably helped me that I had familiar faces around me, like [Norwich team-mates] Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley, also Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams as well when I was with them at Southampton.

"So that really helped me, but to be fair, all of the lads welcomed me straight away and I felt really comfortable pretty much from the first second.

"So credit to them for that and obviously it couldn't have started any better with the first two games as well."

Listen to Angus and Bryan Gunn talk family, pride and the Euros on the Scottish football podcast

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been facing the media as his side prepare for Friday's final friendly before opening Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on 14 June.

Here are the key points:

• Clarke knows which two players will be dropped from the squad but he has not informed them yet. Wouldn’t be drawn on whether one of the four goalkeepers in the provisional squad will head home.

• Says he is ignoring the "negative Normans", feeling there was too much criticism and negativity following a sticky win over Gibraltar on Monday.

• Insists Stuart Armstrong will be fine and will get the all clear to resume full training with the group on Monday.

• Scott McTominay, who has also been suffering with a knock, won't start on Friday but is expected to come off the bench.

• Scotland team against Finland will be "more familiar" than the side that faced Gibraltar, with Clarke saying the friendly provides a "mix and match" opportunity between giving players game-time and preparing for Germany opener.

• Surprise late call-up Lewis Morgan gives the team "good options" and proves Clarke looks far and wide for players.

• "Really interested" to see what U21 striker Tommy Conway brings to the group and the Bristol City striker has fitted in with the national team really well.

• After 5,000 children took in Scotland's opening training session on Thursday, Clarke talks up the importance of inspiring the next generation this summer.

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International football can be a game of fine margins.

For Scotland, any slight advantage could be the difference between a disappointing group-stage exit and the uncharted waters of knockout competition at a major tournament.

But what could Steve Clarke's side have over their capable opposition in Germany, Switzerland and Hungary?

The answer may well be Austin MacPhee.

As coach and analyst John Walker told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, more and more emphasis has been placed on set-piece analysts in the modern game.

He says this trend is reaching an all-time high ahead of the Euros, noting a significant rise in the number of specialists being brought into international set-ups even compared to the Qatar World Cup 18 months ago.

Having crunched the numbers, Walker explains that Scotland's rate of scoring from set-pieces is far higher than the average club side, putting that success down to MacPhee.

The former Hearts and St Mirren assistant manager is now working with Aston Villa, helping Unai Emery and his side to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since its inception in 1992.

Every team Scotland faces at the Euros will have at least one set-piece coach, but Walker believes few will have the pedigree that MacPhee possesses.

"I think we've got the best of the tournament's set-piece analysts, the one that's working at the highest level continually in that role," he said.

"Scotland's stats are way above club average. I know Austin MacPhee's a massive part of that.

"I think we'll see a real rise in corners being converted into goals in this tournament."

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Well, who saw this coming?

With just seven days to go until Scotland open Euro 2024 against host nation Germany, Lewis Morgan has been told to hastily pack a travel bag and get himself from New York City to Glasgow.

The former St Mirren forward had been expecting to spend the next couple of weeks with the Red Bulls, playing out MLS fixtures against Nashville, Montreal and Toronto.

Now, he'll travel with Steve Clarke's side for continental clashes versus Germany, Switzerland and Hungary. Some turnaround.

Earlier this week, Bristol City frontman Tommy Conway was drafted in to bolster Scotland's depleted forward options after Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak both picked up injuries.

But with multiple players still carrying knocks ahead of Friday's friendly with Finland, it seems Clarke is looking to add more firepower into his Euros squad.

Folk will debate the quality of stateside soccer, but there's no arguing that Morgan is player in a rich vein of form.

The 27-year-old has nine goals and three assists in the opening 16 games of his MLS campaign. Lawrence Shankland aside, there's few in Scotland blue that can boast that level of output in recent times.

As the news of Morgan's shock call-up broke on Thursday morning, some people immediately asked what this says about Ryan Gauld.

The Vancouver Whitecaps captain has 10 goal contributions in the same number of games as his compatriot, but still seems frozen out in Canada.

But as the Tartan Army have come to know, Clarke is a creature of habit. Morgan was in one of the head coach's early squads in 2019, and appears to have retained a strong enough reputation to be given one huge opportunity at the final hour.

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Lewis Morgan has been propelled from the international wilderness to a place in Scotland's provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024.

The New York Red Bulls winger won the last of his two caps six years ago and had been regularly overlooked by manager Steve Clarke.

However, Morgan, 27, now looks set for the Euros after being handed a shock call-up by Clarke, who must name his final 26-man squad by Friday.

The inclusion of the former St Mirren and Celtic attacker follows injuries to forwards Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak, with Bristol City striker Tommy Conway already drafted in.

What do you make of Morgan's call-up - is it the right call or were there better options out there? Can he make a telling impact at the finals?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

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Scotland cap Calvin Ramsay says he felt an "instant connection" with manager Shaun Maloney before sealing a season-long loan move to Wigan Athletic from Liverpool.

Former Aberdeen full-back Ramsay will spend next term with the League One outfit after injury troubles curtailed his game-time during previous loan spells at Bolton and Preston.

The 20-year-old earned Aberdeen a club record £4.2m fee when he moved to Anfield on a five-year deal in June 2022, and made his Scotland debut later that year.

But he has featured just twice for the Reds amid fitness problems and is now looking to relaunch his career under former Scotland and Celtic forward Maloney.

Ramsay told the Wigan website: "I am over the moon. It happened quickly and I met the manager two weeks ago.

"I had a really good conversation, and there was an instant connection. I’m excited for the start of the season. It’s a good opportunity at a good club, and I am raring to go."

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Aston Villa remain among clubs interested in Kieran Tierney as Arsenal sources confirmed they hope to generate around £25m by selling the out-of-favour Scotland defender this summer. (TeamTalk), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Scott McKenna has become the latest Scotland player to be released by their club after leaving Nottingham Forest.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who spent the second half of last season on loan at FC Copenhagen, is now a free agent following a four-year spell at the Premier League club.

Former Aberdeen defender McKenna made 106 appearances for Forest and helped them win promotion from the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.

He is the fourth member of Steve Clarke's provisional Euro 2024 squad to be confirmed as a free agent over the past fortnight.

It comes after the expiry of Stuart Armstrong’s Southampton contract, plus the news of Ryan Jack’s Rangers departure and Liam Kelly's Motherwell exit.

Meanwhile, Che Adams remains in talks about signing a new deal with Southampton and Liam Cooper's contract at Leeds also runs out this summer, but no announcement has been made about his future.

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Scotland's injury issues should not "rule them out of finishing in the top two" of their Euro 2024 group, says Ally McCoist.

A first or second-placed finish in Group A, which also includes Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, would guarantee the Scots a first knockout game in a major finals.

Third spot could also secure that, meaning former Scotland striker McCoist is still travelling to Germany with "optimism still at a very, very high level".

Hamstring injuries ruled right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson out of contention while forward duo Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak have been removed from the provisional squad in the past week.

Bristol City striker Tommy Conway has been brought in to soften the blow, but a number of other players, such as Liam Cooper, Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong and John Souttar, are still battling to get up to full fitness.

"It's not ideal, but it's part and parcel in the build-up to any big tournament," McCoist told the Press Assocation.

"As disappointing as it's been, for the boys more than anything, optimism is still at a very, very high level for me.

"If there was a league table for optimism, we'd be top of it every year. I don't think the injuries have helped us, but I wouldn't rule out finishing in the top two. I wouldn't rule out anything.

"We'll probably go into all of our games as underdogs, but we'll certainly go into the Germany game as heavy underdogs. That sometimes suits us."

Scotland are participating in their second successive European Championship, having failed to qualify for the previous five, and have never made it out of the group stage.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin tells The Football News Show why privately the squad will be targeting a spot in the last 16, but probably will not say so in public.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

You have probably heard Tommy Conway's name more than your own over the past couple of days.

The chances of you having limited knowledge on Scotland's most recent call-up are perhaps also equally as high.

But don't let that detract from the fact the Bristol City striker is in Steve Clarke's provisional Euro 2024 squad on merit.

Following untimely injuries to forward duo Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak, 21-year-old Conway has been promoted up from the Under-21s.

The England-born striker, who qualifies for Scotland through his Stirling-born grandfather, has three goals in five U21 caps - the most recent of which was a deft header in Turkey on Monday while Clarke's men were failing to break down Gibraltar.

A Bristol City academy product, Conway has established himself in the Championship club's first team over the last two campaigns after lower-league loans at Yate Town and Bath City.

In the last two seasons, he has netted 24 club goals in all competitions - 12 in each campaign - an impressive tally at that level for one so young.

Dykes has scored 15 for fellow second-tier side Queens Park Rangers in that same timeframe, while Doak is yet to open his account in senior football.

Although five of Conway's 10 league goals in 2023-24 came from his faultless spot-kick record, he still outperformed his total xG (expected goals) of 9.25.

That often means the player in question isn't one to waste too many chances, with those 10 strikes coming from 29 shots on target.

Off the ball, and in comparison to other Championship strikers last term, he ranks high for recoveries and winning possession back in the final third.

And Conway "is a player for the big occasions" - according to Bristol City fan Matthew Withers of '3 Peaps in a PodCast', external.

Conway's double against West Ham supports that notion. His first came in a 1-1 FA Cup draw at the London Stadium before he netted the winner in the third-round replay in January.

"I don't think this will faze him," Withers added of Conway's call-up.

"We played West Ham in the FA Cup and Tommy scored in both games. He strives for the big occasion. He wants to be playing at the very top level," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I'm not sure he's necessarily cut out for that lone striker role, but he's the sort of lad that will play anywhere for you, wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Above all, he's a great, great finisher."

German comedian Henning Wehn is no longer fearing another "major embarrassment" for his country at Euro 2024 on home soil as they look to qualify from a group that includes Scotland.

Listen to Sacked in the Morning's Euros preview podcast on BBC Sounds

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Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents Switzerland warmed up for the finals by easing to a 4-0 home win over Estonia.

The Swiss led by a goal at the break in Luzern thanks to Steven Zuber's 20th-minute strike.

Murat Yakin's men stepped up the intensity in the second half and Zeki Amdouni and Nico Elvedi netted before former Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri wrapped up the scoring with a penalty.

The Swiss, who join Scotland, hosts Germany and Hungary in Group A at Euro 2024, play their final warm-up game at home to Austria on Saturday.

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Shooting drills are planned for the Scotland squad by head coach Steve Clarke as they seek to address a lack of "confidence". (Herald - subscription), external

Andy Robertson remains committed to Liverpool, although the 30-year-old has not yet spoken to new manager Arne Slot amid reported interest in the Scotland captain and left-back from Bayern Munich. (TeamTalk), external

Scotland qualified 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray is among up to six high-profile players to leave Leeds United this summer after their failure to win promotion back to the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann described his side's friendly against Ukraine as "perfect in view of the games that await us in the group phase" despite Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents being held to a 0-0 home draw.

The hosts, who open the tournament next week against Steve Clarke's side, had raised expectations after recent wins over France and the Netherlands.

But they spurned a number of chances in Nuremberg against the side ranked 22nd in the world, particularly during a dominant second-half.

"You'd prefer to win," Nagelsmann said. "But the most important factor is that I want to see a team that wants to win. Today, we wanted that victory."

Taking over late last year after Hansi Flick became the first national coach in Germany history to be sacked, Nagelsmann won just one of his first four games.

He shook up his squad in response, leaving out 11 players and bringing back 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who had retired from international duty in 2021.

Nagelsmann also turned to players on form with domestic title winners Bayer Leverkusen and runners-up Stuttgart rather than traditional sources Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Germany, who won only three games in 11 outings last year and have slipped to 16th in the world rankings, have now won four, drawn two and lost two under the 36-year-old former Bayern team boss.

Veteran Bayern forward Thomas Mueller, heading into his fourth Euros, said there was "no reason to be nervous" despite the goalless draw as Germany look to improve on two group stage World Cup exits in a row and a loss to England in the last 16 of the Euros in 2021.

Germany, who face Greece in their final friendly on Friday in Moenchengladbach, were without four players, including fulcrum Kroos, who played with Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final, against Ukraine.

Debutant Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier went close to breaking the deadlock, while 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz, from Leverkusen, and Jamal Musiala, of Bayern, showed they can form a dangerous attacking combination from midfield.

Other Nagelsmann selections, including midfielder Chris Fuehrich and left-back Maximilian Mittelstaedt, both of Stuttgart, also impressed.

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Hungary head coach Marco Rossi could not believe his side's 15-match unbeaten run was ended with a 2-1 defeat by Republic of Ireland as they warmed up for their Euro 2024 finals meeting with Scotland.

The 35th-minute opening goal was made in Scotland as Adam Idah, the Norwich City striker who ended the season on loan to Celtic, headed past goalkeeper Peter Gulasci from a cross by Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone.

The visitors were level five minutes later when a deflected long-range shot from captain Dominik Szoboszlai, the Liverpool midfielder, was flicked on by RB Leipzig centre-back Willi Orban and Omonia defender Adam Lang arrived at the far post to blast into the roof of the net.

However, against the run of play, Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott broke clear to seal victory in stoppage time.

Rossi, whose side dominated for long periods without troubling Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher unduly, said: "We were not satisfied even with the draw in minute 91.

"We had several chances to win this match. Of course, we made some mistakes, but I think Ireland had two chances and they scored both.

"Okay, we wanted to win, but every time if it's not possible to win, we have to accept the draw.

"Despite the fact that we were coming from 14 matches without defeat, we are not England or Germany. Like I have mentioned several times, we are in a process, we are growing up."

Rossi was without several players for the match in Dublin.

Fehérvár defender Attila Fiola is not completing full training sessions for the time being but is expected to play against Israel on Saturday.

Kecskeméti midfielder Krisztofer Horvath is also struggling with a minor injury, while Servette's Bendegúz Bolla and fellow midfielder Dániel Gazdag, of Philadelphia Union, only joined the squad on Monday due to club commitments.