Scotland Euro 2024 squad

Scotland heads into Euro 2024 with a familiar goal: to finally break through and reach the knockout stages of a major men's tournament. This has eluded them for years, including the previous Euros where a valiant draw against England couldn't propel them past the group stage.

However, there's a flicker of optimism this time around. They secured qualification for the finals in Germany with two games to spare, showcasing a strong showing during qualifiers. This, coupled with two upcoming warm-up matches, has fans cautiously hopeful for a Round of 16 berth.

The draw placed Scotland in Group A, handing them a daunting task right off the bat: facing host nation Germany in the opening match on June 14th.  Their group also includes Hungary (ranked 26th) and Switzerland (ranked 19th), making progression far from a walk in the park. Coach Steve Clarke will need to strategize carefully to navigate this challenging group.

The provisional squad selection has generated some buzz. The most surprising inclusion is 18-year-old Liverpool forward Ben Doak. Despite a limited track record (one Premier League appearance), his raw talent and blistering pace convinced Clarke to take a chance.

"He's got something special," Clarke remarked.  "We don't have many players with his speed, and with the squad expanding, it felt like the right decision."

Injuries to first-choice right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson opened the door for uncapped defender Ross McCrorie (Bristol City) to earn a call-up.

There's also a familiar face returning: Celtic's James Forrest, who's been absent from the international scene for nearly three years.  Rangers' Ryan Jack, who missed out on Euro 2020, will be aiming to secure a spot in the final squad this time around.

Scotland's core of established stars like Scott McTominay, Andrew Robertson, John McGinn, and Billy Gilmour all find themselves included. Coach Clarke now faces the task of finalizing his 26-man squad, leaving two players with dashed dreams.