The early origins of Scottish international football are closely linked to Queen’s Park, the oldest football club north of the border.
Though amateur in status, the Spiders were at the forefront of football’s emergence during the latter part of the Nineteenth century. Indeed, all eleven of their players represented Scotland when they took on England at the Oval in 1870.
Outright Winner - Scotland
That game was the very first international contest of its kind, highlighting Scotland’s rich and long heritage, and as other nations joined the party this small country, with a population of just five million, more than held their own.
Scotland lost only two of their opening 43 fixtures. They won the British Home Championship – a competition that featured themselves, England, Wales and Northern Ireland – 17 times in its first forty years. Their first venture overseas in 1929 saw them thrash Norway 7-3 in Bergen.
Unfortunately, the second half of their story has played out in far more underwhelming fashion, turning up to major tournaments accompanied by high hopes only to disappoint. Failing that, they would not qualify in the first place.
Still, this is a proud sporting nation with an awful lot to be proud about. Not least its illustrious history. And not least the legends who have worn the navy blue shirt with great distinction.
Scotland Legends
Scotland’s ‘Wembley Wizards’ readily come to mind, the fabulous side of 1929 who bewitched their nearest and fiercest rivals at the famous old stadium, triumphing 5-1.
As for individuals, this is a nation that has produced some of the finest midfielders to ever grace a centre-circle.
From Graeme Souness to Jim Baxter; from Billy Bremner to the peerless and fearless Dave Mackay, it is a roll-call of greats that makes you wonder how Scotland have not qualified for infinitely more World Cups and Euro Championships down the years.
Unquestionably the country’s best ever talent was, and will forever be, Sir Kenny Dalglish. The brilliant striker may have struggled to bring his A-game to Scotland Euro qualifiers but inspired them to four consecutive World Cup finals.
History at the Euros
Eligible for the tournament from 1968 on, Scotland Euro fixtures too often resulted in near misses, with costly defeats depriving them of qualification until 1992.
In Sweden, a comprehensive victory over Russia is fondly recalled but alas, it proved too little, too late, with earlier losses leading to an early exit.
Four years later they repeated their feat but this time it was goal difference that ultimately denied them progress from their group with England v Scotland Euro 96 chiefly remembered for a moment of magic courtesy of Paul Gascoigne.
Scotland then returned to the international wilderness throughout much of the 2000s, sometimes getting oh-so-close only to lose in a play-off. That was until Euro 2020 saw them prominent again on the continental stage where, for the second time in recent times, they faced the Auld Enemy.
A hard-fought draw at Wembley was the only point they gained in Group D. It was at least a result celebrated by their amazing travelling supporters.
Scotland Fans
When Scotland qualify for a major competition, two things are a given.
The first is that the team will be proverbial bridesmaids, typically flattering to deceive, watching on as others progress. In eleven World Cups and Euros, they have yet to reach the knock-outs.
The other cert is that wherever the event is hosted, the Tartan Army will show up in great numbers and provide boisterous and passionate support, all while ingratiating themselves with the locals.
Known for their revelry and good nature, the fine reputation of Scotland’s fans proceeds them.
Scotland Euro 2024 Qualifying
When the qualifying groups were drawn for Euro 2024 it did not exactly look promising for the Scots, paired as they were with Spain, the always dangerous Georgia, and a Norway side spearheaded by the phenomenally prolific Erling Haaland.
Yet the Scotland national football team UEFA Euro standings looked considerably healthier a few games in with impressive victories gained over Cyprus, Spain and Norway.
Just three games in and Scotland Euro 2024 looked on, prompting the optimists among the Tartan Army to make their travel arrangements ready for this summer.
And remarkably it was a winning streak that continued, with Georgia dispensed with at Hampden Park before a double was achieved over Cyprus.
It wasn’t until they were narrowly downed in Spain that Scotland’s run ended and by then qualification was well within reach.
A last-minute equaliser in Tbilisi last November was sufficient to see them home and dry, all within a group that, on paper for sure, contained teams that were their superior.
Scotland Euro 2024 Group
The Scotland Euro group this summer consists of football betting favourites Germany, Hungary and Switzerland, the first of these trio obviously being the most difficult, especially as they are the hosts.
Naturally, it’s also pertinent that the Germans have won this competition before, several times over.
Hungary meanwhile topped their qualifying group, remaining unbeaten throughout, while the Swiss were bested just once, as they secured their tournament place minus any drama.
The temptation therefore is to believe that Steve Clarke’s men are up against it, that a Scotland Euro adventure is somewhat far-fetched.
Group A Betting - Scotland
But what cannot be discounted is the superb manner in which their own participation was guaranteed, with better teams than Hungary and Switzerland negotiated.
After years spent in the doldrums, these are heady times for the Scots, helped in no small part by boasting their strongest squad for a generation.
Scotland Euro 2024 Squad
Premier League stars are plentiful within Steve Clarke’s roster, including Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Aston Villa’s John McGinn in midfield.
Also making up a formidable engine room, Brighton’s Billy Gilmour has made himself indispensable on the South Coast this season while Lewis Ferguson has been tearing things up in Serie A with Bologna.
At the back Everton’s Nathan Patterson is a reliable presence and it is hoped that both Aaron Hickey and Kieran Tierney can recover from injury problems ahead of this summer.
All told, Clarke has forged a collective that is balanced and full of quality. Team spirit is a considerable plus too and without exaggeration the anticipated Scotland Euro squad compares well to just about any other nation.
Scotland Best Player
By some distance the Premier League’s most impactful left-back, Andy Robertson is Scotland’s captain and main source of inspiration for live betting punters on the team.
Marauding down the left, tenacious in the challenge and always offering up an attacking threat, it is imperative that the 29-year-old remains fit and firing going into this summer.
Who Is The Scotland Manager?
At the helm since 2019, the former Reading and Kilmarnock boss has guided his country to consecutive Euros as well as gaining promotion in the Nations League.
Such feats have largely been achieved by instilling a club-like unity within his squad while tactically there are few better. After all, Clarke learnt his trade working under Jose Mourinho and Sir Bobby Robson.
Perhaps the biggest secret to his success is in setting Scotland up as the underdog in contests but without resorting to a low block. Instead, they absorb pressure well while retaining a genuine threat going forward.
In an admirably under-stated way, Clarke has dramatically transformed this team.
Famous Scotland Kits
The Scotland Euro 96 shirt is a modern classic, stylish and low-key, with the player’s numbers front and centre.
Their 1978 World Cup kit is another that is rightfully venerated, its bold white triangle in between a white collar evoking mazy runs made by Archie Gemmill amidst the Argentinian ticker-tape.
There have been missteps too along the way of course. The thick dark blue stripe on the 1986 World Cup shorts remains divisive to this day.
Scotland Odds For Euro 2024
Scotland Euro 2024 fixtures begin with a seriously testing match-up with Germany in Munich and with a loss predicted we can expect their already generous odds to progress from Group A to lengthen further.
As for winning the whole thing, we have seen weirder things happen, not least Greece triumphing in 2004, but still their 100/1 price tells us a great deal.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
