They have not been on the biggest football stage for 22 years, since Euro 1996 and World Cup 1998, and then they managed to qualify for two consecutive championships of the Old Continent, in just three years - in stadiums in Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart, and maybe and in some other German cities, bagpipes will be played in the second half of June.
Scotland, the land of whisky, arrives in Germany, the land of beer, with a clear ambition to make the biggest football success in history - the "Tartan Army" has never made it to the knockout stage of a major competition, which seems surprising considering that it has participated in as many as eight World Cups and three European championships.
Led by coach Steve Clarke, a former national team player, players who grind every weekend mostly on the merciless stage of the English Premier League, filled with self-loathing after an excellent qualifying campaign, this proud nation arrives in Germany with the intention of finally grabbing at least the round of 16.
In the company of the hosts, Germany, dangerous Switzerland and Hungary - in a format where the four best third-placed teams from six groups also advance - it is not an impossible mission.
The Scots' trump card is also the fans - "Flower of Scotland" is the name of the anthem that is perhaps the most loudly sung on the football and fan stage, and will also be well heard at the opening of the Euros, at the "Allianz Arena" in Munich, before at least 60 thousand Germans.
Scotland got the privilege to play at the opening of the EP, just as they opened the World Cup in France 1998 with a match against Brazil in Paris - they lost then 2:1, now they wish for a different outcome against the Germans.
The return of the Scots to the big stage took place on a rainy March night in 2021 in Belgrade, when goalkeeper David Marshall saved Aleksandar Mitrović's penalty in the fifth round of penalties and brought the first placement in a major competition since the mentioned World Cup in 1998.
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Coach Steve Clarke, known for his assistant role to Jose Mourinho from his first days at Chelsea (2004 - 2007), was celebrated as a hero in his homeland, no wonder he is still at the helm.
It was at that international Euro, played in several European countries, that the Scots showed that they could "fight" with everyone, but they lacked a dry attacking class - for example, they played 0:0 with the English at Wembley. in the oldest derby in the world ("Brave heart" - such and similar titles graced the media in Glasgow Edinburgh), but that's why they lost to the Czech Republic 2:0 and Croatia 3:1, playing both matches at their "Hampden Park" in Glasgow.
Then followed a solid cycle for the World Cup, second place in the group behind Denmark, but also being eliminated in the playoffs by Ukraine. The streak of good results under Steve Clark continued in the B division of the League of Nations, sovereignly winning first place ahead of Ukraine, Ireland and Armenia and placing in the A division, and the crown was qualifying for this Euro.
In a not-so-simple group with Spain, Norway and European debutant Georgia, the Scots broke away at the top with the Spaniards early on, influencing world football megastar Erling Haaland to watch another big competition on television (if he even has the desire). .
Liverpool defender Edney Robertson, Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, Aston Villa captain John Meggin... are the most famous names in the sea of "energetic", competitively ready players who mostly play on the Island.
Clarke is worried about injuries ahead of the Euros - Brentford defender Aaron Hickey, Everton defender Nathan Patterson and Bologna's offensive midfielder Lewis Ferguson are on the list of 26 names, but the "rovites" arrive in Germany.
Scotland and the Euro
It performs so far: 3
Biggest Success: Group stage
The last Euro: EP 2020, group stage
Most performances on the EP: Andy Gorham, Gary McAllister and Stuart McCall (6 each)
Most goals in the EP: Five players with one goal each
Captain: Andy Robertson
The first star: Andy Robertson
Matches at the EP: Germany (June 14, Munich), Switzerland (June 19, Cologne), Hungary (June 23, Stuttgart).
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