Steve Clarke told a dejected Tartan Army to “keep the faith” after Scotland began their Euro 2024 campaign with a 5-1 thrashing by Germany.
Goals from Florian Wirtz and fellow attacker Jamal Musiala came before defender Ryan Porteous was deservedly sent off just before the break for conceding a penalty with a reckless tackle on the hosts’ captain Ilkay Gundogan, which Kai Havertz netted.
Being down to 10 men made a difficult task near impossible and Germany substitute Niclas Fullkrug made it 4-0 in the 68th minute with a magnificent drive.
The work for Wednesday starts now.
We head back to base camp, and go again in Köln – we’ll see you there. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/zjh8O0sPIG
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 14, 2024
Although Germany defender Antonio Rudiger headed into his own net in 87 minutes, substitute Emre Can made it 5-1 with a clever finish in added time.
Scotland have to face Switzerland and Hungary in their next two Group A fixtures and, asked about a message to the thousands of fans who had travelled to Munich and those supporting from home, Clarke said: “Keep the faith. See you at the next game.
“The game ran away from us very quickly, obviously we conceded a third and with the sending off as well it was always going to be a difficult night and after that it was damage limitation.
“In the second half the boys gave everything they could to keep the scoreline reasonable but we have to move on from tonight.
“We will go away and analyse the game.
“I have never doubted my players. It was a difficult night and we didn’t play to our standard. Germany were excellent and we couldn’t get a foothold in the game.
“The players were disappointed, they felt they let themselves down, they are a better team than that and hopefully we can show that in the next two games.
“This was always going to be a tough night for us to get something.
“We need four points from the next two games and that’s what we focus on.”
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann told ITV of his surprise in Scotland’s performance.
He said: “I’m happy, I’m satisfied, it’s not easy to have the first game in our own country.
“We were brilliant in the first 20 minutes, I was happy with the performance.
An opening match to remember for Germany 🇩🇪#EURO2024 | #GERSCO pic.twitter.com/luXAFwUS1E
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 14, 2024
“We conceded but at the end it’s OK, it’s a good sign that our players complained about conceding.
“I was kind of surprised that Scotland weren’t that aggressive in first 20 minutes. I think they were surprised by our ball possession, it was very concentrated.
“They then defended deeper and didn’t high press as they have in the qualifying games at times.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd now What if? lol Every week Andre Onana today. This Manchester is red. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
AC Milan join race to sign forgotten Chelsea forward NkunkuSerie A giants AC Milan are the latest club to have shown interest in out-of-favour Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku as they have initiated contact to explore a deal with the Premier League club, according to Fabrizio Romano. Milan are looking to bolster their attack before the transfer window closes next Monday and have identified the F...
Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen at odds over Hincapie priceArsenal face needing to meet the buyout clause if they want Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.The Gunners are chasing a deal for Hincapie this week, but attempts to negotiate a fee with Bayer have been dismissed.Instead, says the Mirror, the only option for Arsenal to sign the defender is to match his €60m sale option.Hincapie, 2...
Serie A Giants Emerge as Surprise Contenders to Sign Man Utd Midfielder Kobbie MainooSerie A giants Napoli have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to sign Kobbie Mainoo as interest in the Manchester United midfielder intensifies ahead of the transfer deadline.Mainoo, 20, has fallen out of favour at Man United with manager Ruben Amorim unable to fit the midfielder in his preferred tactical s...
Chelsea Make Nicolas Jackson Loan Decision With Alejandro Garnacho Deal ImminentChelsea are reportedly willing to let forward Nicolas Jackson leave on loan this summer in order to free up space for Alejandro Garnacho.The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro earlier in the summer.Jackson is subject to interest from several club...
Big six! Crystal Palace planning mega signing spree before deadlineCrystal Palace are planning for a hectic final few days of the summer market.The Mirror says Palace want to focus on their Europa Conference League playoff at Fredrikstad on Thursday night before launchng their spending spree.With Ebere Eze now sold to Arsenal and Marc Guehi also potentially departing, Palace have plans to bring in...
AC Milan Join Transfer Race for Chelsea Outcast Christopher NkunkuAC Milan have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea outcast Christopher Nkunku as they look to strengthen their attack before the end of the transfer window.The 27-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea after failing to establish himself under Enzo Maresca last season.According to transfer guru Fabrizio Rom...
Guardiola Says No! Savinho Set to Stay at Manchester City as Tottenham Suffer More Transfer MiseryMan City have reportedly decided to block any potential exit for Brazilian winger Savinho, shutting the door on Tottenham’s hopes of a deal despite the player’s desire for a bigger role.Tottenham are keen on adding more attacking firepower this summer having already missed out on Morgan Gi...
Liverpool Prepare HUGE 3150m Plan to Sign Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi in Next Few DaysLiverpool are reportedly preparing a massive 3150 million bid to sign Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, expecting Newcastle to soften their stance on the star striker as the transfer window nears its close.Arne Slot’s side have had a busy summer, already breaking the British transfer r...
Tottenham and Aston Villa Target Marseille Exile Adrien Rabiot as AC Milan Boss Allegri Eyes ReunionAdrien Rabiot is reportedly attracting interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa while exiled at Marseille, with AC Milan also exploring a reunion with former coach Max Allegri.Rabiot, 30, has been exiled by current club Marseille after a violent exchange with former teammate Jonathan Rowe after their...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC