The humbling at the hands of the hosts has left hopes of reaching the knockout stage in tatters.
When a prickly Steve Clarke ordered the Tartan Army to keep the faith on Friday night, Scotland’s manager probably knew he was asking for more than he could reasonably hope to receive.
The 70th anniversary of that particular low watermark comes on Wednesday, when Clarke and his players will take to the field for a second time knowing defeat against Switzerland in Cologne will send them home early again from yet another global event. With tails between legs once more. So, yes, it’s not over yet and for as long as they have an opportunity to redeem themselves, only the most churlish among us would wish for any other fate.
Scotland may still hope for the best and the vast majority will wish this team nothing but good fortune over the next six days. It’s just that it’s now become difficult – perhaps to the point of being impossible - to truly believe they really can recover from this bludgeoning to remain in the tournament with their pride still intact as well as a place in the knockout stages.
So it was easy to believe him when he said he had, with the benefit of hindsight, identified flaws in the way he managed his group during those finals. And, furthermore, that he was about to ensure they were corrected and eliminated this time around. Clarke made the same error of judgement three years ago in the opener against the Czechs which does suggest he hasn’t learned from that particular mistake. He was, in fact, doubling down on it. The manager started Gilmour at Wembley in the second group game and it feels as if history will be repeated on Wednesday given the dreadful and inept nature of his engine room against the Germans.
But Ralston’s nervousness every time the ball was at his feet helped add to the jitters that spread around the pitch and did so much to paralyse the rest of Clarke’s more dependable and trusted performers. It would feel almost like an act of mercy not to put Ralston through it all again on Wednesday night and, given the need for Scotland to get onto the front foot, Forrest would seem an ideal replacement.
Tartan Army Euro 2024 Steve Clarke Scottish Premiership Scotland Football Team Anthony Ralston Billy Gilmour
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Clarke calms anxious Tartan Army after Scotland injury woesHere is why Steve Clarke thinks he still has a 'hell of a good squad' for the European Championships, despite the five injuries Scotland have…
Read more »
Scots newlyweds heading for Germany honeymoon following Tartan Army at Euro 2024Josh Gray and Elyse Ogilvie married at the stunning Kinnettles Castle in Forfar on Saturday and will embark on the incredible trip next week.
Read more »
Tartan Army Munich City Guide ahead of Germany v Scotland Euro 2024 clashHere's some things to see and do in Munich - where Scotland take on Germany on Friday, June 14 - from fan zones to culture.
Read more »
Czech Tartan Army in Euro 2024 pilgrimage as Scots boys and dads head to GermanyThe Tartanská Armáda - including Viggo Wallin Swain, 12, and Jacob Orr, nine - who embrace their Scottish heritage and can't wait to get to Munich.
Read more »
Tartan Army superfan taking campervan to Germany with Braveheart wraparoundFifteen fans split between three vans will make the 900-mile journey on June 18 to Stuttgart and believe they are one of 50,000 Scots taking a campervan to the tournament.
Read more »
Tartan Army chief creates unique Scotland Lederhosen outfit to wear in GermanyChris ‘Gibbo’ Gibson, 48, will rock a completely new look when he heads to the Euros, combining the traditional Bavarian outfit with the dark blue of the national team.
Read more »