Who could make Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad?

With less than 100 days to go until Scotland kick off Euro 2024 against hosts Germany – who will make head coach Steve Clarke’s final squad?

A total of 29 players featured across the eight qualifiers – as Scotland sealed their spot in style at this summer’s tournament.

NOW Sports Month Membership just £21 a month for 12 monthsHow to book Friday’s Joshua vs Ngannou fight on Sky Sports Box OfficeGet Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports AppClarke’s side won their first five games – a run that included victories over Spain at Hampden Park and in Oslo over Erling Haaland’s Norway – with qualification secured with two games to spare.

However, just 23 players can board that plane to Germany, so here’s a look at who is in the mix…

Could Gordon make a remarkable return?

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Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland blind ranks his best goals this season so far!

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn beat off competition from Hearts’ Zander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly for the No 1 jersey at the start of the campaign – having pledged his allegiance to Scotland, despite playing for England U21s.

He took over from the injured Craig Gordon who had been recovering from a double leg break suffered in December 2022 during Hearts’ Christmas Eve game against Dundee United.

The 41-year-old is back however, and were he to replace Clark at club level before the end of this season, Gordon could force himself into the manager’s plans.

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Zander Clark (right) started Scotland’s last two qualifiers ahead of Liam Kelly (left) while Angus Gunn was injured

“There’s no doubt at this moment in time Angus Gunn is Steve Clarke’s No 1,” said Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd.

“Obviously, he fancied Zander Clark ahead of Liam Kelly for the last two games – replacing Gunn who was injured.

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Angus Gunn did not concede a goal from open play during Scotland’s first five qualifiers

“Zander has done himself no harm there but if Craig Gordon comes back and he ends up playing between the sticks for Hearts, where does that leave him?

“It’s a difficult one. That’s why Steve gets paid the big bucks, he can make the decisions and we’ll just talk about it!”

Any shocks in defence or midfield?

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Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay are all expected to be in Scotland’s squad for the Euros

Clarke has been consistent in his back-line selections, with Aaron Hickey, Ryan Porteous, Jack Hendry, Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson and captain Andrew Robertson featuring in the most number of games.

Grant Hanley, Liam Cooper, John Souttar, Scott McKenna, Dominic Hyam, Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor all featured at some point during the eight qualifiers too, while Josh Doig and Ross McCrorie were named in a squad but did not play.

Midfielders John McGinn, Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay featured in every match – a feat only matched by forwards Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes – suggesting Clarke will be consistent with his approach in the middle too.

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Dykes, McTominay and McGregor played in every qualifier for Scotland

Scotland’s Euro 2024 fixtures and routeEuro 2024: Dates, venue, schedule, teamsStuart Armstrong (6), Kenny McLean (7) and Billy Gilmour (5) all featured consistently too and would be expected to board the plane to Germany – but will Ryan Jack and Lewis Ferguson also make the cut having featured in just three games?

Jack has been struggling with injuries but will be desperate to make the cut having missed the last Euros due to injury, while Ferguson has impressed in Serie A with six goals and four assists for Bologna this season.

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Lewis Ferguson made three appearances for Scotland during the qualifiers

Boyd said: “Even if there were some dips with his regulars, I don’t think he’d leave them out because he knows exactly what they can do when they come to camp.

“There might be the odd one who could force their way in but listening to Clarke he spoke about the group, the unity and the togetherness of that squad.

“The nucleus of it won’t change unless Steve Clarke can talk some of the English Premier League players to come out and play for Scotland, which is being spoken about.”

Shankland, Brown or Nisbet up-front?

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Lawrence Shankland scored to seal a draw for Scotland in Georgia

The real dilemma for Clarke could come at the top end of the pitch.

Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams are almost guaranteed to be in the squad, but who else could join them?

Having scored 20 goals in 29 league games, Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland also netted during Scotland’s draw in Georgia.

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Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland blind ranks his best goals this season so far!

Scottish Premiership table | Fixtures | ResultsFree-to-watch Scottish Premiership highlightsMeanwhile, Jacob Brown – who started in the 3-3 draw against Norway – has scored just two league goals this season for Luton Town, and Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet will hope his injury woes are behind him as he looks to force his way into Clarke’s plans.

“Che Adams is nailed on, Dykes has done really well for Scotland and you’d fancy him to go,” said Boyd.

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Jacob Brown started in Scotland’s draw against Norway in their final qualifier

“Brown started against Norway and is probably the most similar to Che Adams in style. But for me, I’d have Lawrence Shankland on the flight all day long.

“You know if you create opportunities for him he’ll score goals. There was nobody in that Scotland squad against Georgia who scores the header he scored.”

Anderson, Gordon or Barnes surprise call?

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Elliot Anderson was called up to the Scotland squad but withdrew before the games in September

While Clarke has been consistent with the group of players he calls up – could there be some new faces to add to the mix?

Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon were all linked with a Scotland call-up – with Tino Livramento also eligible for the national side.

It is unlikely Anderson will feature after he was added to the squad by Clarke in August but then withdrew ahead of the September qualifier against Cyprus and friendly against England.

Gordon meanwhile is set to be capped for England but Barnes could be an option having recovered from his injury.

With Gunn impressing despite playing for England’s U21 side and players from across the Premier League shining under Clarke on the international front – could others be tempted to play for Scotland?

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Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes suffered an injury at Sheffield United in September

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Paper TalkGet Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports AppBoyd said: “I have nothing against it. As a player, you deserve to dream, to go and represent your own country but if you’ve got parents or grandparents who are Scottish, we’re more than welcome to have them!

“There are a lot [in this Scotland team] who have played at the top end of the English Premier League and it does help. Clarke is big on testing yourself against the best opposition. When you’re playing in that league week in, week out you know you’re going to be tested. It only helps the players, the environment and the squad going forward.

“I’m not getting too caught up in it because it would be wrong to overlook the boys who have managed to get Scotland to another major tournament.”

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