By Martyn Herman
DUESSELDORF, Germany, June 18 (Reuters) – Scotland must not go into Wednesday’s Euro 2024 clash against Switzerland thinking a draw would be sufficient, manager Steve Clarke said on Tuesday ahead of the Group A game in Cologne.
A 5-1 thrashing by hosts Germany in the opener last Friday was the most one-sided game so far and left Scotland facing another early exit, having failed to reach the knockout rounds in 11 previous major tournaments.
Despite the gloom of that debacle, however, all is not lost and Scotland still have their fate in their own hands, although defeat by Switzerland would almost certainly eliminate them.
A point would likely send Scotland into a final game tussle with Hungary for third place and a possible last-16 spot, but that was not a scenario a subdued Clarke was entertaining when he addressed the media at the Cologne Stadium on Tuesday.
“It’s about doing better, working better in the game. We thought we were well prepared for Germany. Obviously we weren’t. This time I think it’s better not to say too much,” Clarke, who offered only brief answers to questions, said.
“But going into the game thinking you only need a point is dangerous.”
Switzerland impressed with a 3-1 victory over Hungary in their opening match — a performance that earned Murat Yakin’s side plenty of plaudits and Clarke agreed.
“Very impressed with the Swiss. They were excellent, really good in the first half and controlled the second half well. When they needed a late goal, they managed to do that,” he said.
With their pride badly hurt, Scotland fans have urged the team to channel the “Braveheart” spirit that was so lacking in Munich. Asked if his players were bursting to get at the Swiss and make amends, Clarke refused to bite.
“Obviously they want to go back to the pitch and play better. I think that’s pretty standard when you play so poorly and you let yourself down,” he said.
Asked about his team selection, Clarke offered nothing.
“Ryan Porteous is suspended so obviously won’t play, so at least one change,” Clarke said of the defender who was sent off versus the Germans.
Left back Andy Robertson was more talkative and said Scotland had let their supporters down against Germany and that the players had not been themselves.
“You’ve seen in qualifying a team that was full of belief and ready to fight for each other and ready to go for every single ball,” Robertson said.
“Maybe on Friday we played with a wee bit of fear. We can improve on pretty much everything we did on Friday night and we can improve it by quite a bit.
“If we do that, then it will give us the best possible chance to be together, to get three points, to get one point, whatever that may be on the night.” (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)