THE hours are ticking away to Scotland’s crunch Euro 2024 clash with Hungary.
And a potentially devastating blow to Steve Clarke’s plans has been floated.
In their final Group A fixture, Scotland know a win will move them onto four points – a total that barring a series of freak results in other groups will see them progress to the last 16.
It would be the first time a Scotland team has ever made it out of the group stage at a major finals.
But in the build-up to the big game, a concerning bit of injury news has emerged – from one of the players’ DADS.
Former Scotland goalkeeper Bryan Gunn – the father of current No1 Angus – appeared on the Scotland HQ show this afternoon live from Germany.
And when quizzed on how he expects boss Clarke to line up in Stuttgart, Gunn senior dropped a rather worrying rumour that he’d been hearing into the conversation.
It’s a rumour that if true would deprive the manager of one of his key men.
Gunn said: “I think much the same.
“There’s rumours Che Adams might not be fit but that is rumours.
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“Shankland might start up front. So we’ll have to see on that one.”
Other than Gunn’s concerning comments, there hasn’t been anything shared on Adams’ status or, indeed, what the issue could be with his fitness.
Adams, 27, has led the line for Scotland in both matches so far.
He’s been installed as the main man up front following Lyndon Dykes’ pre-tournament injury.
Adams was hooked at half-time of the 5-1 thumping by Germany as Clarke looked to shore up his defence after Ryan Porteous’ first half red card.
But he put in an excellent shift as the lone striker in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland, being replaced in injury time by Lawrence Shankland.
Hearts talisman Shankland would be in line to start against Hungary if Adams was missing, with Tommy Conway the only other centre forward in the squad.
‘WE CAN DO IT’
By GORDON STRACHAN
THEIR legs won’t feel tired. Not when their brains have been refreshed.
Don’t worry about Scotland’s players being jaded after two tough Group A games so far.
Trust me, they’ll be mentally ready to go again in Sunday night’s crunch clash with Hungary.
And when your head is in a good place, it’s amazing how the rest of the body responds.
That’s what the 1-1 draw with Switzerland will have done for Steve Clarke’s players.
The lads will have seen the reaction from the supporters in Germany, as well as everyone back home.
Everything being said and written in the media and press had been really positive and that also filters through. It makes a difference.
Losing so heavily to Germany in the first game would have taken its toll. Everyone’s legs and minds would have felt heavy for days after it.
But had anyone walked into the changing room after the Swiss result, I guarantee you’d have seen a squad that would have felt they could have run straight back out on to the pitch and played again.
You can drink as much water as you want after a match. Get massages and rest up with all the latest advice from the sports science guys.
But those are minority gains, maybe only one or two per cent here or there.
Read Gordon Strachan’s exclusive Euro 2024 column in full HERE
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
