Glasgow (SID) – National coach Steve Clarke doesn’t see his lack of tournament experience as a problem in Scotland’s European return after 25 years. “The big games are for the big players, and we believe we have enough big players to deal with the situation,” Clarke said ahead of Monday’s match against the Czech Republic (3 p.m. / Magenta TV).
According to captain Andy Robertson (Liverpool FC), the team is “relaxed but ready” for a “tough task” at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Everyone is aware of the importance of the long-awaited game: “Many children, teenagers and youth have never seen us in a tournament. I hope we can inspire and make a nation happy.”
Home games in front of 12,000 spectators should give the Bravehearts an extra boost. “The players are so happy to have the fans again, it’s been a long time since we had spectators at Hampden Park. It should create a good atmosphere and we want to use that to good results.”
With all the anticipation for the first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, only the famous “Tartan Army” should be madly in the stands. “We have to maintain emotional control in order to reach our full potential,” warns Clark. Scotland’s other opponents in Group D are England (Friday) and vice world champion Croatia (22 June).
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