SM
Spain vs. Switzerland: 1 day 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Steve Clarke calls for Scotland players to shine at Euro 2020

:Headline: Steve Clarke calls for Scotland players to shine at Euro 2020:
Steve Clarke named the uncapped trio of Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and David Turnbull in his 26-man squad on Wednesday.
Sports Mole

Steve Clarke has called on his Scotland players to aim to "become legends" at this summer's European Championships.

The national team boss announced his 26-man squad for the rescheduled tournament, which gets under way next month, with most interest around the uncapped trio of Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and David Turnbull.

The Scots will soon start preparing for their first major tournament in 23 years and will host the Czech Republic and Croatia at Hampden Park, with a keenly anticipated fixture against England at Wembley in between.

Scotland have never qualified for the knockout stages of any major competition before and Clarke, speaking at a Hampden Park press conference, looked to break through that glass ceiling.

He said: "I think it has been a feel-good story and it is great to be involved in the tournament.

"We want to be competitive. When the boys won the match in Serbia on penalties (to qualify for Euro 2020) everyone got a great lift, it was a fantastic feeling.

"All the boys became heroes overnight.

“If we can get out the group stages in the summer they can become legends, so why not aim for that?”
- Steve Clarke

"If we can get out the group stages in the summer they can become legends, so why not aim for that?

"It is always important to try to be as competitive as you can be.

"I have always said the group has grown in stature. The more caps, international experience and confidence they get from the games against the bigger and better teams – hopefully we can go there in the summer and cause a few problems to the other teams in the group.

"We are going there with the intention to get out the group of course, there is no point in going if we are just going to make up the  numbers.

"We are going there to be as competitive as we can be and if that gets us enough points to get out the group and into the knockout stage, like I said before, the lads can become legends."

Scotland secured their place at Euro 2020 by winning a play-off against Serbia on penalties last November (Novak Djurovic/PA)

Chelsea midfielder Gilmour and Rangers right-back Patterson, both 19, were joined by Celtic's 21-year-old PFA Scotland young player of the year Turnbull.

Clarke explained his thinking about drafting in "three very talented players" and insists they are on a "level footing" with the more experienced players in his group.

He said: "I think they all add something to the squad.

"Everyone goes to the training camp in Spain on a level footing. They've all got their chance to play their way into the team for the Euros.

"Nathan Patterson and David Turnbull have caught the eye in Scotland with their performances for Rangers and Celtic.

"Billy Gilmour is a player I've known for a long time and I know he's very well regarded at Chelsea.

"It was nice to see him getting a few games recently and he looks like he's over his injury.

"I've tried to stick as much as possible with the nucleus of the squad, which is important.

"The camaraderie of the squad was a big part of the qualification and I've added three young ones to liven it up a bit."

Kenny McLean, Ryan Jack, Oli McBurnie, Oli Burke all miss out through injury and Clarke had to make "difficult calls" to defenders Andrew Considine and Liam Palmer to deliver the bad news of their omission.

But the former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock boss insists there may yet be opportunities for players to be called up.

He said: "Both were obviously very disappointed but we have the opportunity to make changes to the squad right up until the day before first game of the tournament.

"I haven't done an official stand-by list. I have spoken to quite a few players, but I am using this as a platform as well, just to say, 'Keep yourself fit because, with the Covid situation and the injury situation, you never know'."

body check tags ::

amp_article__448178 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-05-19 15:23:28:
html db last update - 2021-05-19 15:23:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Steve Clarke

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
BG
Read Next:
Billy Gilmour included in Scotland squad for Euro 2020
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Steve Clarke Nathan Patterson David Turnbull Billy Gilmour Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Billy Gilmour included in Scotland squad for Euro 2020
Lee-ving on a high: Carsley's England crush 10-man Ireland to win promotion

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Kane starts and a new debutant: England team to face Ireland confirmed!

1

KS

Amorim's wish: Man United 'aiming to sign' Sporting star in January

2

AW

Arsenal to copy Spurs transfer blueprint by signing Swedish sensation?

NEW

3

AT

Argentina forward Lionel Messi's record vs. Peru

NEW

4

AF

Major blow! Man United player withdraws from international duty through injury

NEW

5

MB

Fulham 'join' Arsenal, Chelsea in race for Brazilian striker

6

F'

Major Amorim update: Has new Man United head coach received his visa?

7

MA

Amorim's challenge: Man United 'hugely concerned' by new signing's struggles

8

AC

Chelsea defender Badiashile wanted by Italian giants?

9

CD

Preview: Argentina vs. Peru - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PA


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .