Scotland “might surprise a few people”…

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Scotland “might surprise a few people”…
Steve Clarke file photo File photo dated 04-09-2020 of Scotland manager Steve Clarke. Issue date: Wednesday March 3, 2021. FILE PHOTO Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the Scottish FA. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAndrewxMilliganx 58394289

Regulars will know we’re not exactly huge Scotland fans on Ibrox Noise. It’s a Rangers site not a Scotland one and we’ve had a few axes to grind with the NT over the years.

But our Nathan Patterson and Jon McLaughlin are in the Euros so we can’t help but have a little look at the Scotland situation going into this summer.

Qualifying by the back door, they are now awaiting the beginning of competition at the first major championships for the nation since 98, and despite how rubbish we’ve been for decades, looking at the squad Steve Clarke has picked surprises us.

Why? Because the selection of players Scotland actually take to the various stadia around Europe is some of the finest we can remember, and it’s actually the strongest squad we can think of in the dark blue literally since 2007 and that belting Watty squad which had the best of Rangers in it.

The defence is blessed with an unreal FB selection – Patterson, Tierney and Robertson can more than hold its own, and while central defence with Tominay, McKenna, Hendry and Hanley isn’t quite at the same level it’s ok.

It’s in midfield the standard just skyrockets – Tierney mostly playing as mid, and with a selection of the likes of Gilmour, McTominay, Armstrong, McGregor, Turnbull, Fleck and McGinn looks about as healthy a state as we can recall in the middle of the park for the country. It does lack a bit of dig in there, with a lot of creativity and a lack of hard players, but it’s still good.

Up front is a bit thinner – only Dykes and Forrest really stand out.

Our expectations?

We don’t expect the earth from this squad – it’s better than many would give it credit for, but the results are a mixed bag with some good winnings runs and some shocking losses and draws.

If this manager gets it right and picks the best players in their best positions, Scotland could well surprise a few people.

And not even 20 yet we’d love Nathan Patterson to already say he’s played at a major championships….

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  1. It’s up front where Scotland really lack. The CB pairing is never the strongest but noticeably it looked a much stronger unit when, surprise, surprise, Ryan Jack was part of the side. When we have to rely on calling up Che Adams to lead the line you know things aren’t great in that area.

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