Euros

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.Steve Clarke could face a selection headache in StuttgartCredit: PAA former Scotland star has suggested Che Adams could be OUT of tonight’s gameCredit: AlamyIn 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.Most read in Euro 2024″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.Scotland don’t have anything to fear, making a case for Shankland & Clarke on cusp of historyAdams, 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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KIERAN TIERNEY is officially OUT of Euro 2024.The Scotland and Arsenal defender looked gutted as he was taken off on a stretcher in the second half of the draw against Switzerland on Wednesday.Kieran Tierney has been sent home from the Scotland Euros campCredit: PAThe star had his head in his hands after going down injured against SwitzerlandCredit: GettyTierney was rushing back to defend a Swiss counter-attack when his leg buckled and he hit the floor in a heap and immediately gripped onto his hamstring and signalled to the subs’ bench.Steve Clarke confirmed the injury “was a bad one” after the game in midweek and now it’s been revealed that the 27-year-old is being sent home to continue his recovery at his club and will miss the rest of the tournament.Scots assistant boss John Carver said in his press conference today: “He was stretchered off the other night. He’s got an issue with his hamstring and as we speak he is heading home to be assessed by Arsenal. “That is all I can say at the moment.”When asked about the impact of Tierney’s injury on the squad, Carver admitted his absence will upset the balance of the starting XI but he would soon be back to support the team should they progress to the last 16.Tierney himself, is devastated.Carver said: “He’s obviously extremely disappointed. “If we do progress and move through the tournament Kieran will be back to support us. But he’s a young lad, he’s got plenty of time.”It’s a blow because he’s one of our top players and in tournament football you need your best players on the park. Most read in Euro 2024″In particular he gives us great balance down the left hand side, he combines really well with Andy Robertson and Callum McGregor. “But it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step in.”Fans ‘knew Scotland were in trouble’ after spotting Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson’s 3rd minute antics vs GermanyTierney has rarely had fitness issues to seek in the last few years.He was beset by injury problems at the last Euros and his loan stint at Real Sociedad this season was also disrupted by knocks.The former Celtic star is a key man for Clarke and being without him will pose some major questions.Scotland could revert to a back four, with Andrew Robertson dropping back to left-back rather than operating as a left wing-back, with Clarke then choosing between Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry as his pairing in the centre of defence.It was McKenna who came on for Tierney on Wednesday as part of a back three, so Clarke could decide to stick with that and slot the ex-Aberdeen man in there instead of a wholesale change to the formation.Scotland play Hungary on Sunday evening knowing a win would almost guarantee them a place in the knockout stages on a total of four points.Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcastSUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.
Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.
And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.
You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.
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THIS is the bizarre moment a Scotland Euros fan stripped off and jumped naked into Germany’s most famous river.The fan shocked pals as the Tartan Army supporter dropped his trousers to his ankles before braving the icy waters of the Rhine which flows through city of Cologne.The fan stripped to his socks in front of the Tartan ArmyCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28He ran towards the river in just his trainer socks and his watchCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28He vaulted the fence while his friends laughed at himCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28His stunt divided opinion as the Rhine is very strongCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28The skinny dipper stripped down to just his trainer socks and his watch and plunged into the river hours before the nerve-shredding 1-1 draw with Switzerland that kept Scotland in the Euros. He wore only a smile after he surfaced following the shock dive. Footage shows a group of fellow Scots relaxing by the waterfront with the city’s famous Hohenzollern bridge as the backdrop. With one hand covering his modesty, the lad races towards the water before vaulting over the barrier, throwing himself into the air. He causes a splash before he submerges under the water. The fan is later seen swimming against the river’s strong current as he attempts to exit the river and escape the cold water.He pulls himself out of the water, still covering his private parts with one hand. His pals are heard laughing and howling, while those speaking German sound baffled by the bizarre stunt. Most read in Euro 2024The clip was shared to social media last night with the caption: “#scotland #euros #cologne #chaos”The video was popular by Scotland fans and received over 7.3k likes and over 4.8million views on X.Buckie for sale and Tartan Army super singing creates cracking Cologne atmosphereOne commented: “Let me guess the guy lost a bet?”Another said: “Scottish man doing what he wants to do.”The Rhine is one of Germany’s most famous riversCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28The fan made a splashCredit: X/@jckmcmillan28The fan swims against the strong current of the RhineCredit: X/@JCKMCMILLAN28
A third added: “the video was a bit to short to see how cold it was.”Another replied: “Lighten up everybody, I bet he does that every Saturday, jumping into the River Clyde back home.”A fifth commented: “I love me some Scots, but please be careful in our city. “The Rhine has a very strong current and there is ship movement nearly all day.“Don’t want one of you guys going missing.” More

THE Tartan Army breathed a sigh of relief after a nerve-shredding draw with Switzerland kept Scotland in the Euros.Steve Clarke’s team knew defeat was not an option and battled like warriors in Cologne to take progression into the next round down to Sunday’s last game.Scotland fans packed the stadium to cheer on the teamCredit: PAThe Tartan Army can breath a sigh of reliefCredit: GettyTens of thousands of fans packed into the stadium to cheer on the teamCredit: AFPScotland’s goal sent waves of joy through the packed standsCredit: PAMore than 10,000 footsoldiers packed into the RheinEnergieStadion to will their heroes on to a historic victory and a chance at glory — just days after the 5-1 thrashing by hosts Germany.And they got off to a dream start when, after a quick counter-attack,  Scott McTominay fired a shot at goal that was diverted into his own  net by Swiss defender Fabian Schar after 13 minutes in.That sent the hordes of travelling fans in the stands into raptures before they celebrated with chants of “No Scotland, No Party”.Unfortunately,  Scotland’s lead only lasted 12 minutes. Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri took advantage of a defensive blunder to fire in a stunning equaliser. Our Bravehearts were dealt another blow 15 minutes into the second half when defender Kieran Tierney had to be carried off with a hamstring injury.And in a nailbiting end to the Group A match, the Swiss had two goals disallowed while Scotland’s Grant Hanley hit the post.The 1-1 draw means we can go through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever if we can beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday.An estimated 200,000 Scots have descended on Germany for the competition — with at least 60,000 flocking to Cologne as the national side looked to recover from the 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the hosts in the opener. And fans in the city were buzzing that the draw kept our qualification hopes alive.Most read in Euro 2024Ray Burnie, from Auchterarder, Perthshire, celebrated a 62nd birthday to remember. He told The Scottish Sun: “I’ll take a draw because we are still in the tourney and we can aim for third place.“It gives the game on Sunday meaning, that’s what we wanted.Euros fans left stunned by ‘spine-tingling’ Flower of Scotland national anthem rendition “Hopefully, this will give us the momentum we need.”Stuart Robertson, 66, a retired franchise manager and dad of three from Dundee, said: “It’s not the worst result in the world.“Realistically, it’s probably the best we can hope for. It keeps us alive in the tournament.” Andrew Bell, 66, a grandad of six and former NHS estates manager from Kirkcaldy, Fife, said: “If we progress a bit, we’re happy.New YouTube channelSubscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and videos as Scotland heads to the Euros.
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“We drew, so we’re still in it with everything to play for.”Jim Bell, 64, from Dundee, said: “A draw gives us light at the end of the tunnel and we can go into the next one against Hungary knowing a win will do.”Ewan Burnie, 28, also from Auchterarder, said: “The result gives us something to believe in and hope in and that’s what we really want.”Darren Bonner, 43, from Glasgow, said: “It’s like the Grand Old Duke of York — neither up nor down.“But  we’re still here and that’s the buzz.” Scott Davie, 44, from Glasgow, said: “We go into the last game with everything to play for.”The national side could be on the way to make historyCredit: AFPThere is just one more game in the group stagesCredit: RexFans will cheer on the team when they play Hungary in their final group stage matchCredit: AFPJohn McIntosh, 62, an engineer and a dad of two from Dundee, said: “It’s all going to come down to the Hungary game.”Gordon Larkins, 57, a dad of two and business analyst who lives near Bath, Somerset, told how he is originally from Glasgow.He said: “We’re still in it — and that’s the main thing.”His son Cameron, 22, an economics graduate, said: “I think a draw was the most realistic score we could have hoped for.”A draw gives us light at the end of the tunnel”Jim Bell“Now we can beat Hungary and we can qualify with four points.”Earlier, the Tartan Army piled into Cologne’s town square and packed the steps of its famous cathedral seven hours before kick-off, with bagpipers entertaining the friendly locals by playing in front of a giant Saltire.Others were left frustrated due to train delays — with fans chanting: “Are you ScotRail in disguise?”The thousands without tickets crammed into the 7,500-capacity Heumarkt fan zone and the Tanzbrunnen public viewing area, which had room for 12,500 people.Scotland were handed a boost when Germany secured their passage into the next round with a 2-0 victory over Hungary at the MHPArena in Stuttgart.Supporters in Scotland: ‘We’ve got a chance!’SUPPORTERS packed out fanzones across Scotland to cheer on their heroes in Germany.Punters made a beeline for a number of bars and venues to make sure they never missed a second of the crunch tie against Switzerland.In The Tennent’s Lager fanzone in Merchant Square, Glasgow, fans went crazy when Scott McTominay put us ahead.Fans go wild in the Glasgow fanzone in Merchant SquareCredit: Tom FarmerHundreds of supporters in blue came out to cheer the teamCredit: Tom FarmerThe Three Sisters in Edinburgh was also packed full of Scotland fansFans Lucy Sargent and Nina Hegarty cheer on the teamAnd everyone was delighted that the nation still has hopes to qualify.Rachael McLaren, 19, Paisley, a dentistry student, said: “I’m happy. It means we are still in with a chance.”Lucy Layden, 18, from Paisley who is a social sciences student, said: “It’s a decent result. It’s a step in the right direction after the Germany game.”Erin McLaren, 19, Paisley, who is studying chemical engineering, added: “It’s a decent result. We did our best.”Lewis Cuthbertson, 21, from Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, a graduate in accountancy and finance, said: “I’m pretty content with a draw. It means we still have a chance and it is all to play for against Hungary.””It’s a step in the right direction after the Germany game.”Lucy LaydenTatiana Duzy, 19, an Optometry student from Carluke, Lanarkshire, said: “I’m disappointed we haven’t won but at least we got a point in the game. It means we aren’t out and still in with a chance.”John McCarthy, 32, a writer from Glasgow, said: “That’s not a bad result. “We still have a chance in this tournament, and it means it is all to play for against Hungary.”Alan Cuthbert, 54, Hamilton, a retired spirits manufacturer, said: “I feel hopeful we have a chance in this tournament and maybe cause an upset.””We still have a chance in this tournament”John McCarthyAnd in the Three Sisters pub in Edinburgh fans were buzzing throughout the match.Lucy Garden, 18, a student said: “It will be amazing if we can qualify. I think the team has done exceptionally well to get to this stage.“Friday was a disaster, but we need to look forward. I think we have a chance of qualifying. But no matter what happens we still party.“The game tonight was excellent and the boys played well.”Connor Cockburn, 22, a stonemason from Edinburgh said: “We done a lot better than we did on Friday. The boys played well and were holding onto the ball and our possession was good.“These boys are under extreme pressure and they are doing us proud.Wild scenes in Edinburgh after McTominay’s goalSaltires in Glasgow as the Swiss clash got underway“The squad is much more confident tonight. There is a lot riding on the next game to ensure we do enough to qualify.”Jack Simpson, 37, an admin worker from Fife said: “We played really well and deserved to take something from the game.“It is like a totally different squad from the game against Germany. We are now playing with some belief and passion.“Fingers crossed we can do the business on Sunday.””We were back playing the excellent football that we can.”Rosie CrawfordRosie Crawford, 47, a cleaner from Edinburgh said: “I watched the game on Friday and what a difference it was.“We were back playing the excellent football that we can.“There was some slack passing that resulted in them scoring. That needs stopped if are to qualify.”Simon Atkinson, 43, a lorry driver from Hawick, Roxburghshire, said: “I have every confidence that we can still qualify.“We got off to a terrible start and we need to do better if we are to stay in the competition.”READ MORE SUN STORIESLaura Jackson, 25, a student from Edinburgh added: “The players have given their all for their country and that is all we can ask.“They have given us some great memories. We can still qualify and I am sure we will.” More

IT’S been a long few days for Scotland’s players, fans and the media alike.And for one journalist in particular, it seems like the build-up to the Switzerland clash left him a tad confused!Scott McTominay scored as Scotland kept their Euro 2024 dreams aliveCredit: GettySteve Clarke was left baffled in his post-match media conferenceCredit: SKY SPORTSA journalist’s bizarre claim had the manager bemusedCredit: SKY SPORTSThe moment had the media room in stitchesCredit: SKY SPORTSSteve Clarke’s men kept their hopes of progressing out of their Euro 2024 group alive with a 1-1 draw against the Swiss in Cologne.Scott McTominay opened the scoring early on before Xherdan Shaqiri levelled things up with a stunning strike.The point means that if Scotland beat Hungary in the final group match on Sunday, it SHOULD be enough to secure a place in the last 16.Friday’s 5-1 thumping to Germany came as a shock to the system, with the manner of the defeat deflating for all concerned.And it’s been a hectic five days heading into the Cologne showdown with Switzerland.The drama seemed to to be a little bit too much for one member of the Scottish media – who left Clarke baffled in the post-match press conference!Asking his question, the reporter introduced himself as: “Steve Clarke from The Guardian.”Blissfully unaware of his slip-up, he continues on to begin his question.Most read in Euro 2024The baffled Scotland manager then hilariously interrupts, telling the reporter: “You’re not Steve Clarke, I’m Steve Clarke!”You getting confused?”Gary Lineker accused of ‘laughing at Scotland’ as Frank Lampard accuses BBC presenter of having a dig at Steve Clarke’s sideThere’s a roar of laughter throughout the media room as the journalist asks: “What did I say? Sorry!”Clarke then quips: “Has he been out?”The Scotland manager then finally tells him: “You’re name’s Ewan!”It turns out that the reporter in question was The Guardian’s Ewan Murray.And he saw the funny side.Sky Sports clipped up the hilarious moment for their social media channels, with Murray sharing it on his own X feed.Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcastSUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.
Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.
And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.
You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.
What are you waiting for, it’s time to Go Ballistic!

He posted it alongside a series of facepalm and laughing emojis.It’s a somewhat ironic situation given that Murray himself is regularly confused with Sky Sports commentator – and almost namesake – Ewen Murray.Punters at home regularly send Murray messages about Sky’s coverage, which he’s known to respond to ‘in character’ as the voice of Sky’s golf coverage.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe replied to a punter on X saying: “Just call me Clarkey.””You’re not Steve Clarke, I’m Steve Clarke” 😂A few laughs post-match as a journalist accidently introduces himself as the Scotland boss 🤭 pic.twitter.com/hPJsl8sP3a— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) June 19, 2024

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