Inside Scotland's final feisty training session as Andy Robertson reveals truth behind Euro 2024 injury

Scotland play their first major finals game abroad since 1998 when they take on the hosts in the Munich Arena. The eyes of Europe will be on skipper Andy Robertson and his teammates as the Scots bid to make a strong start against one of the favourites to win the tournament. 

Clarke was speaking at the first of over 200 press conferences Uefa are set to host over the next month in Germany. The manager acknowledged the greater number of reporters in the room than normal but stressed his team would not be overawed by the size of the occasion the following night in Munich. Scotland have never beaten Germany in a competitive fixture.   

“One of the mantras I’ve always had is: ‘Respect everyone and fear no-one!’” he said. “So, while we have a lot of respect for the host nation, hopefully on the night we can cause them problems. We know the supporters are here in their numbers to support us. We know they are going to be right behind us in every minute of every game. That’s really important for us. We’ve had a little taste of that in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where we are based. It made the walk to training more enjoyable. I know there are many more here in Germany who we haven’t seen and I hope they enjoy themselves.”

As many as 200,000 Scots are estimated to have descended on Munich. Nearly 10,000 have precious tickets to be inside the 75,000-capacity stadium. Clarke highlighted his belief that his team can create a shock. 

“Absolutely, that’s why we’re here,” he said. “We feel as though we can get a good result every time we step onto the pitch. Otherwise, what’s the point in going on there? We feel we’re ready and hopefully you’ll see that on Friday night.”

Clarke was relieved to report a clean bill of health for his players following recent weeks when his plans have been so severely disrupted by injury. As many as five players were ruled out of his squad while striker Lyndon Dykes suffered a training-ground injury two weeks ago that also meant he had to drop out. Ben Doak also withdrew due to fitness issues. 

There was a scare about Robertson earlier this week when the skipper was escorted from training early after an ankle knock. Striker Lawrence Shankland was also taken off as a precautionary measure. "Everyone is fully fit, flying and desperate to be selected,” said Clarke. “They’re ready to go.”

Robertson corroborated this later, including in relation to himself. “The preparation’s pretty much all done, the meetings are all done and we’re ready to go,” he said. 

“Physically, mentally, I feel good and am looking forward to what lies ahead,” he said. “I had a little scare in training the other day because of an ankle problem I’ve been nursing since March and it probably didn’t help that the cameras were there and saw it! 

“We were pretty relaxed about it – maybe a bit more so than my family, who knew it about before I could tell them I was OK.”

Robertson confirmed there had been an extra feisty training session on the eve of the match but that an extra edge was only to be expected after such a protracted build-up. “I think the lads were a bit excited in training before coming to Munich, but we all knew it was the last session and although you have to control it, you also need to have it,” he said. “We’ve waited years and years for this and now there’s only one more sleep. We can’t wait.”

Robertson is alert to the chance this group of players have to create a special place for themselves in history. Scotland have never made it past the opening stage. As well as Germany, Group A rivals Hungary and Switzerland stand in their way. He stressed the players had nothing to lose. 

“We want to make history,” he said. “We know what’s at stake. What’s the worst that can happen? We join the list of Scotland teams who haven’t got out of a group?

“We have so many incentives here, but becoming a legendary squad is the biggest. That’s what has to drive us forward. The thought of being the first Scotland team to make a knockout round is our driving force. If we manage that? You just never know.

“We all know how quickly a tournament can go by you, so we have to make the most of the opportunity we have here. As a group, it doesn’t get much more difficult, but at the same time there’s no outside pressure or expectation on us.

“All we can do is play to our maximum and see how we go. We’ve seen all the videos of the fans landing, of them in the squares across the city. We all know so many people who are out here – it feels like most of the country’s come over.

“The Tartan Army have been great with us from day one. When the gaffer came in there was a conscious decision to try and get them onside, because support at home games had nose-dived, even if the ones who go abroad with us have always been incredible. Listen, we know they can’t all get into the stadium tomorrow night – we wish they could. But wherever they are, either here or at home, we want to make them proud.”