Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland's recent defensive woes are a "big issue" ahead of next week's Euros kick-off, says former international Willie Miller.

Steve Clarke's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine outings, coming on Monday against minnows Gibraltar.

While Scotland's torrid record in friendlies plays a part, Miller worries a lack of confidence could hamper the backline in .

"Grant Hanley hasn't played a lot of games. He looked a little bit rusty to me," he told BBC Sportsound.

"Ryan Porteous will be disappointed, he hasn't had the opportunity to start in the last couple of games.

"I think Clarke likes Hanley and feels, in the competitive games coming up, he'll be sitting in there and defending on the edge of the box. He's the type of centre half that will win things and be that physical presence.

"We keep losing goals, that's a big issue at international level.

"When you go to a major tournament, you want to have confidence at the back, feeling good about the understanding there."

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Injured Scotland forward Lyndon Dykes says Steve Clarke isn't shy in ing in with squad mischief, but knows when to return to a more serious demeanour.

The Scotland boss often keeps his cards close to his chest in post-match interviews and has been characterised as stern by some onlookers.

But the QPR striker, who will miss Euro 2024 after suffering an ankle injury, told BBC Radio Scotland there's more than one side to Clarke.

"I know a different side to him," Dykes said.

"I might not have known him as long as other people, but I feel like we got on really well early doors.

"We had a great chat on the phone when he wanted me to come to Scotland. He was just being himself, like everyone sees on camera. He was very blunt and I like that. I liked him.

"I think we're a bit alike in some ways. Once he's comfortable in the camp he does crack a smile, I know a lot of the pundits probably don't think he does."

He added: "He's a very joking character when he needs to be. His man management is very good because he know when to give us a joke and a bit of a laugh, as well as golf and games.

"He's the first one in with us jumping around, but when it's serious he brings back that side of him that we need."

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Lawrence Shankland says the Scotland camp is buzzing as they finished their Euro 2024 preparations before jetting off to .

The Hearts captain notched his third international cool with a close-range header in a 2-2 draw with Finland at Hampden on Friday.

After being maligned by some sections of the in recent Scotland outings, Shankland is staying positive and looking ahead to next week's kick-off against the host national.

"It's great, it's always nice to get goals for your country, so it was a really nice feeling," he told BBC Scotland.

"First and foremost, you want to come through the game fit and send us in a strong way to .

"The place is buzzing and so it should be, we all want to go to the tournament and enjoy it.

"For large parts we controlled the game. We did enough to win it, and everyone came through the game fit."

We asked for your thoughts as Scotland ended their Euro 2024 preparations with a 2-2 draw at home to Finland.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

John: Substitutions hampered the fluidity of the game. I understand why they were made, but they cost us a win. Billy Gilmour was the heartbeat of the team and I'm sure Scott McTominay. Unfortunately, Callum McGregor will be on the bench. Not convinced by Lawrence Shankland. Che Adams will lead the line next week.

Kuptin: Central defence looked iffy all night. No way was that a penalty - Craig Gordon clearly got to the ball first and punched it off the guy’s head. Bonkers decision.

Iain: The last two friendlies have just a tune up before the Euros, so not to much to read into. The main thing is to progress past the group stage and anything beyond that will be a bonus and will show how much Scotland have progressed.

Paul: The goals showed we can score. They weren't the best opposition in the world either but Finland aren't a bad side. I feel terrible for Gordon on what should be and likely will be his last cap for Scotland.

Ian: Overall, it was a decent performance. The one time over the last two games they actually gave Shankland some decent service, he scored. Lack of concentration cost us the win. Don't think it was a penalty as Gordon got the ball first.

Jim: They looked in fine fettle until the ref gave a ridiculous penalty which never was. Plenty of positives on show and can't wait till it all kicks off. Unfortunately will be watching from the armchair.

Craig: Gordon’s cameo was needless vanity, and cost us the win. Steve Clarke will need to be wiser and more ruthless in .

Richard: Scotland do terrible in friendlies, but excellent in competitive games. If that trend continues, will be in for a heck of an opening game.

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Another piece of Scotland history for Andy Robertson.

The Liverpool left-back became the men's national team most capped captain on Friday night, wearing the armband for the 49th time in a 2-2 draw with Finland.

Former Rangers defender George Young, whose caps came between 1946-1957, previously held the record.

Robertson marked the occasion in style, with his cross forcing Finland's own goal, before picking out his old Queen's Park team-mate Lawrence Shankland for the second.

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Tommy Conway says his grandfather will be looking down on him with pride after making his senior Scotland debut.

Drafted into the squad to ease an injury pile-up, the Bristol City striker was introduced off the bench in Friday's 2-2 draw at Hampden Park.

The 21-year-old had the opportunity to grab a late winner, but says he's saving his goals for the Euros while trying to comprehend his first bow on the international stage.

"It's surreal, it hasn't really sunk in yet," Conway told BBC Scotland.

"I know my Grandad will be looking down proud. My family are here as well, so a really proud day.

"Scott McTominay was asking my why I hadn't scored, but I said I'm saving them for next week.

"I'll be ready when called upon. To be going there is a big honour and when I get the opportunity I'm going to take it with both hands."

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• Scotland are now winless in four consecutive games at Hampden (D2 L2). It's their longest run without a home victory across all competitions since November 2008 (five games - D3 L2).

• After losing six of their first seven games against Scotland between 1954 and 1995 (D1), Finland have avoided defeat in each of their last two (1-1 in 1998 and 2-2 in 2024).

• Scotland haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four games at Hampden, their longest such run under Steve Clarke. They’ve only managed a shutout in one of their last nine matches (2-0 v Gibraltar).

• Three of Scotland's last six goals scored at Hampden have been own goals (Harry Maguire for England, Leo Ostigard for Norway and Arttu Hoskonen for Finland).

• Lawrence Shankland has scored in both of his starts for Scotland at Hampden, with those two games coming four years and 238 days apart (v San Marino in October 2019 and Finland in June 2024).

• Craig Gordon won his 75th cap for Scotland, becoming just the sixth player to reach this milestone, after Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton, Darren Fletcher, Alex McLeish and Paul McStay.

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Scotland and Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, 27, would "love" to return to former club Celtic and the Gunners are set to listen to offers over the summer. (Football Insider), external

Debutant Tommy Conway its he will have nightmares about the late chance he missed in Scotland's 2-2 draw with Finland. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill its there are no excuses for Friday's 5-0 defeat by Austria. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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wrapped up their preparations for Euro 2024 in unconvincing fashion despite beating Greece 2-1 in Monchengladbach.

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross' 89th-minute goal saw Julian Nagelsmann's side come from behind after a lacklustre display.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz equalised after Giorgos Masouras' first-half opener.

It was far from the ideal build-up for the tournament hosts, who open the European Championship against Scotland next Friday in Munich.

The late win comes four days after they played out a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

Next stop , Scotland fans how are you feeling?

Lawrence Shankland managed to get himself on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Finland but will Steve Clarke give him the nod over Che Adams in Munich next week?

What did you make of Scotland's overall performance? Are you worried about the defensive issues? Are you happy with how things look at the top of the pitch?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

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Craig Gordon became Scotland's oldest ever international when he won his 75th cap against Finland on Friday.

The 41-year-old came on as a second-half substitute at Hampden Park, replacing Angus Gunn, and beats the record previously held by David Weir.

Gordon made his Scotland debut over 20 years ago in a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Easter Road.

The Hearts keeper is not going to this summer's Euros in , having not made Steve Clarke's final 26-man squad for the tournament.

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "It was good, a little bit disappointing towards the end.

"The game gets a little bit disted when you make subs. It's no reflection of the boys on the pitch, you just lose a little bit of concentration. Up until then I though we controlled the game.

"To get to that stage of the game was good, we defended well, Angus didn't have too much to do. Eventually the two goals came so it was good.

"We are a good team, we've proved that over the last couple of years. We're looking forward to the tournament now."

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That goal felt like a weight off Lawrence Shankland's shoulders. Will he get the chance to repeat the trick in Munich?

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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Friendlies really haven’t been Scotland’s forte in recent times.

They’ve now won just three of their last 21 non-competitive matches, struggling again when they don’t have to put their foot to the pedal.

That couldn’t be further from the case in seven days’ time. are not only one of the top sides in the tournament, but will be desperate to open the tournament with a bang in front of their home fans.

For Clarke’s side, it’s important not to let this result affect their psyche ahead of a daunting prospect in Munich.

There were positives to take however. Anthony Ralston have a solid in the depleted right wing-back berth, while Lawrence Shankland showed the cutting edge he has lacked in recent outings.

Now, can they do it when the lights are brightest?