As Scotland gears up for their Euro 2024 opener against Germany, manager Steve Clarke emphasizes a balanced mindset of reverence without succumbing to intimidation. With the historic match set for Munich’s Allianz Arena, Clarke is steering the team’s focus towards advancing past the group stage, a feat Scotland has not achieved in a major tournament since the World Cup in France, 1998.
Clarke acknowledges the heightened anticipation for the match but chooses to concentrate on the broader objective of advancing through the group. His mantra, “respect everyone and fear no one,” encapsulates his belief in Scotland’s potential to match up to the formidable host nation, Germany.
Despite Germany’s higher FIFA ranking, Clarke’s optimism remains unshaken. He trusts in the team’s thorough preparation and the players’ experience in handling high-pressure games. The Scottish squad, having made it to back-to-back European championships, carries a sense of pride and excitement, which Clarke hopes will translate into a historic performance that will resonate with Scottish football for years to come.