Andrew Robertson will captain Scotland at Euro 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Micah Richards believes Scotland have what it takes to reach the Euro 2024 knockouts as they prepare for their opener against Germany.
The Tartan Army kick-off the European Championships on Friday night against the host nation in Munich.
Having struggled for form and with injury issues, they are not expected to spring a surprise and some have tipped them to finish bottom of Group A behind Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.
But there is belief that they can replicate their early performances from the qualifiers, with Richards backing Steve Clarke’s side to finish second in the group which guarantees passage to the last-16.
‘When you talk individual quality, it’s not up there with the rest of the teams,’ the former England and Manchester City defender said on The Rest is Football podcast.
‘But they are a very good team and all know their jobs. They have good individual players as well but they work well as a unit.
‘They play five at the back with Andy Robertson on the wing and Kieran Tierney in the back-three. In midfield you have someone like Billy Gilmour who’s really good on the ball, Callum McGregor who’s up at Celtic, John McGinn who’s had a brilliant season at Aston Villa and Ryan Christie.
Scott McTominay’s goals were crucial to Scotland qualifying for the tournament (Photo: Getty)
‘I look at Scotland and think have they got enough goals up front? That is the area I would be looking at and thinking in those key vital moments, are they going to be clinical enough to get that important goal?
Scotland lost their first-choice striker Lyndon Dykes to injury just before flying out to Germany but still have Scott McTominay who emerged as a goalscoring hero in qualifying.
The Manchester United midfielder found the back of the net seven times in eight games – only Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane scored more.
‘In qualifying they were impressive. They have got some good individual players,’ Richards added.
‘I had Steve Clarke at Aston Villa and one thing you will get from him is honesty. That is exactly what you need.
‘I think it’s going to be difficult for them but something tells me they’ve just got enough team spirit to maybe get out of the group.’
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