Scotland's Remarkable Journey: Steve Clarke's Squad Nearing Euro 2024 History Before Showdown with Spain

Had you mentioned to me at the beginning of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that Scotland would accumulate five victories in five matches, and would require just a single point to secure qualification with two games remaining, I would have found it hard to believe.

During the draw for this qualifying section, Scotland seemed to have been placed in a challenging group.

Spain is placed in pot one, Norway is likely to be the strongest team in pot three, and Georgia is in pot four - and we are well aware of our difficulties in Tbilisi, which we have experienced twice before.

The victory of Scotland against Spain on matchday two not only gave a fantastic beginning to the campaign but also instilled more confidence in both the team and the nation that they can progress from this group.

The thoughts now are not only about qualifying but finishing top.

Image:

Scott McTominay scored a double in Scotland's win against Spain at Hampden

Scotland can secure their spot in Germany for next summer's tournament by achieving victory or a draw against Spain in Seville on Thursday. However, if Scotland suffers a loss, Norway must win in Cyprus. In the scenario where both Spain and Norway emerge victorious, Scotland enthusiasts will eagerly watch their Sunday match-up. To keep their hopes alive and impede Scotland's qualification party, Norway must win that game. Back in March, Scotland performed admirably against Spain, with Scott McTominay scoring an early goal to set the tone. Although Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes had opportunities to increase the lead, it was McTominay who proved pivotal once again by netting an early second-half goal. Scotland displayed excellent game management, solid defense, and managed to frustrate the Spanish team.

Image:

Rodri expressed his frustration with the defeat against Scotland in his post-match interview. However, he fails to acknowledge that Scotland did not adapt their game to benefit Spain, instead, they played to their own strengths and showcased some impressive football. It was not an overly defensive performance or a result achieved through luck.

Despite their impressive performance at Hampden Park in March, Spain posed a significant threat. Since Luis de la Fuente took over, they have emerged victorious in the Nations League in June and have scored 13 goals in two qualifying matches while only conceding one. They will be determined to prove their worth and have set their sights on winning this group. Scotland faces a monumental task, as even earning a single point will be a considerable challenge.

One thing we have learned about Scotland this year is that we have made strides and achieved victories against tough opponents such as Spain and Norway. However, the recent friendly against England highlighted areas where further improvement is necessary when competing against top-tier nations.

Steve Clarke is aware of this. However, as Angus Gunn mentioned at his media conference earlier in the week, the progress we have made and the strong start we have had reduces the pressure in Sevilla and may aid Scotland in obtaining the single point we require.

One of the main queries is regarding Clarke's decision for the defense. With Kieran Tierney out due to injury while on loan with Real Sociedad in Spain, does he persist with the back three and two wing-backs that worked well alongside Tierney and captain Andrew Robertson? Or does he revert back to a back four, as he did 13 months ago against Ukraine in Poland, which resulted in a goalless draw and secured our promotion in the Nations League?

Scotland suffered defeats in two significant matches, namely the Euro 2020 encounter against the Czech Republic and the World Cup play-off semi-final loss to Ukraine, both held at Hampden Park. These disappointments coincided with the absence of Tierney and the implementation of a back three formation. However, in the latter game, Scotland made a tactical adjustment during the match, switching to a back four. The national team has showcased its adaptability, as proven in the game against Poland, but facing the challenge in Seville will undoubtedly be demanding.

Image:

Kieran Tierney will miss Scotland's qualifier vs Spain

I previously mentioned McTominay's outstanding performance at Hampden Park against Spain, scoring twice. However, his overall impact in this campaign, including his goals and involvement in scoring, has been immense. He scored two goals each against Cyprus and Spain, and also found the back of the net against Georgia and Cyprus again. It is worth mentioning that he played as part of a back three during the night Scotland qualified for Euro 2020 in Serbia, and he executed his role excellently, highlighting his value to the team. His recent achievement of scoring two late goals for Manchester United over the weekend may have come as a surprise to some, but not to the devoted members of the Tartan Army.

Seville has held significant promise for Scottish teams in the past. Unfortunately, in 2003 in the Estadio La Curtuja, Celtic lost in the UEFA Cup Final to Porto after extra time. Similarly, just 17 months ago, Rangers had their hopes shattered when they were defeated in a penalty shoot-out against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Final. Both matches ended in a draw after 90 minutes, and achieving the same result this time would be satisfactory. Now, it is up to Clarke and his Scotland team to create enduring memories.

Scotland Squad

Scotland Squad

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay.

Forwards: Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Jacob Brown.

Scotland's upcoming fixtures

October 17: France (a), friendly, 8pm

November 16: Georgia (a), Euro 2024 qualifier, kick-off 5pm

November 19: Norway (h), Euro 2024 qualifier, kick-off 7.45pm