This time, it’s history. Euro 2024 began with Graeme Souness, lambasting the lack of quality in a Scotland side found to be out of its depth. Scotland may end Euro 2024 having achieved what Souness and the golden generation led by himself and Kenny Dalglish could not, by reaching the knockout stages of an international tournament for the first time. Before a ball was kicked, Scotland and manager Steve Clarke would have gladly accepted the position they find themselves in now: beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday night and they will reach the magic four-point mark that should be enough to go through to the last-16.
If the group stages of the 24-team Euros come to showcase a class divide between the haves and the have-nots — as pre-tournament favourites France and England go through the motions while a range of nations less accustomed to the big stage, from Slovakia and Romania to Turkey and Albania, provide the colour by seizing their opportunity — Scotland’s players have a chance to write themselves into legend with a single win. That has been the goal since arriving in Germany almost two weeks ago.
