Pat Nevin harbors a sly optimism regarding Scotland’s chances as the unexpected champions at Euro 2024.
This week, the buzz centers around Hampden Park. Here, Steve Clarke’s squad will clash with Finland in a friendly before venturing to Germany for their tournament opener against the robust host team on June 14.
It’s been a stretch since Scotland savored victory against the Germans—a drought dating back to a 1999 friendly where Don Hutchison netted the lone goal. Major tournaments have historically seen them come up short against Germany.
In their Group A matchups with Switzerland and Hungary, the Scots find themselves at a crossroads. Having graced the European Championship finals consecutively, they’ve yet to breach the first round barrier.
Yet, Nevin, a former national player from 1986 to 1999, counters the notion that history will repeat itself. “This occasion signals a pivotal breakthrough opportunity,” he told Stats Perform.
“Assessing the group, the Hungarians and the Swiss mirror our caliber closely. There’s little to separate us, yet I believe our squad edges out, player by player. For Steve Clark, the loyal fans, and the players, advancing beyond this stage would be a jubilant triumph. I’m more than hopeful; I’m confident, quietly so,” he affirmed.
“When pondering the Euro’s dark horses, Scotland consistently springs to mind. While the spotlight often shines on England’s dynamism, Scotland’s talent, especially those seasoned in the Premier League or Scotland’s top tier, coupled with Clark’s strategic finesse, shouldn’t be underestimated,” Nevin stated.
“The unpredictability of the Euros always adds a thrilling twist. It’s a bit vexing that the fixtures are pre-drawn, knowing ahead who we’d face if we advance. However, priority one remains to navigate past the group stage,” he concluded.
