EM 2021: Scotland squad – Stars play in defense

• For the first time in more than 23 years, Scotland is back in a major tournament.
• Coach Steve Clarke’s team bought the ticket at the last second.
• There is already a showdown against arch-rivals England in the group stage. This is the Scotland roster.

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The excitement in the team could hardly have been higher: despite the lockdown and ghost games – the Scottish national team oozes enthusiasm and held an intoxicating celebration in the Belgrade Stadium dressing room in mid-November. No wonder: Scotland has not participated in a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup; The last European Championship with Scottish participation was 25 years ago.

Participation in the European Championship was extremely close. Scotland went through the Nations League playoffs, winning the final 5–4 against Serbia – the deciding penalty was also checked before Scotland celebrated. And the thrill continues: Like in the group stage, Scotland will take on arch-rivals England as they did 25 years ago.

Apart from England, the group stage opponents of the European Championships are Croatia and the Czech Republic. These two games will take place at Glasgow’s local Hampden Park – if the pandemic allows.

Scotland at Euro 2021: the stars are the saviors

The stars and pillars of the team are the two defenders. Andrew Robertson is one of the best left-backs in the world – Champions League winners with English champions, Liverpool FC – and captain of the Scottish national team.

The 27-year-old is the team’s identity figure. Scottish football legend Kenny Dalglish told the Glasgow Times last: “Those who doubt themselves can look to Andy and, with the same drive and necessary luck, become Andy Robertson.”

Kieran Tierney played for Celtic Glasgow for 15 years before joining Arsenal for €27m two years ago. He plays mostly as a central defender for Scotland and is the team’s best-known player and great pillar along with Robertson.

Talents: Three debutants for EM 2021

Steve Clarke nominates three debutants for the 2021 European Championship. Billy Gilmour (19 years), David Turnbull (21 years old) and Nathan Patterson (19 years) were rewarded for their strong performances in the respective leagues. Gilmour made a few small appearances in Chelsea’s star squad, Patterson was part of the undefeated Rangers and showed, especially in March and April, that he could be trusted. Turnbull was a regular at Celtic in midfield in 2021 and scored a total of seven goals.

Read also: All Groups and Dates – 2021 European Championship Schedule at a Glance

Trainer: Steve Clarke learned from the great

Coach Steve Clarke took over in the spring of 2019 from former international Alex McLeish, who had looked after the team for only one year. Clarke is not one of the world stars among coaches, but is a name for many in Great Britain: he has already looked after Premier League clubs West Bromwich Albion and Reading FC.

Prior to this he was assistant coach for several years, initially under Ruud Gullit. He later worked as an assistant coach at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and Luis Felipe Scolari and assisted Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool. This 57-year-old player has a special relationship with the players. He communicates freely and expresses his opinion.

EM 2021: This is Scotland’s team

Goalkeeper:

• Craig Gordon (1982), Heart of Midlothian
• David Marshall (1985), Derby County
• John McLaughlin (1987), Glasgow Rangers

Defence:

• Liam Cooper (1991), Leeds United
• Declan Gallagher (1991), Motherwell FC
• Grant Hanley (1991) Norwich City
• Jack Hendry (1995), KV Ostende
• Scott McKenna (1996), Nottingham Forest
• Stephen O’Donnell (1992), Motherwell FC
• Nathan Patterson (2001), Glasgow Rangers Range
• Andrew Robertson (1994), FC Liverpool
• Kieran Tierney (1997), FC Arsenal
• Greg Taylor (1997), Celtic Glasgow,

Midfield:

• Stuart Armstrong (1992), FC Southampton;
• Callum McGregor (1993), Celtic Glasgow,
• David Turnbull (1999), Celtic Glasgow
• Scott McTominay (1996), Manchester United
• John McGuin (1994), Aston Villa
• John Fleck (1991), Sheffield United
• Billy Gilmour (2001), FC Chelsea

attack:

• Ryan Fraser (1994), Newcastle United
• Ryan Christie (1995), Celtic Glasgow,
• James Forrest (1991), Celtic Glasgow,
• Kevin Nisbet (1997), Hibernian Edinburgh
• Che Adams (1996), FC Southampton
• Lyndon Dykes (1995), Queens Park Rangers

Trainer:

They are against Scotland in Group D.

Sources used:

• Eurosport.de/SID: Scotland celebrates historic night – now England EM . waiting for
• Soccer World Cup Pro: All information about the Scotland European Championship team
• Kicker.de: “Is the 23-year wait coming to an end? Scotland looking forward to Robertson – and not thinking about it”
• Guardian: “‘He has something special’: Steve Clarke gets his reward with Scotland”