Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (2024)

Summary

  • Andy Robertson to speak to media before Switzerland match at around 18:30 BST

  • Scotland take on the Swiss in Cologne on Wednesday (20:00 BST)

Live Reporting

Andrew Petrie

  1. Goodnight!published at 19:38 18 June

    19:38 18 June

    And just like that, 'matchday minus one' is almost at an end.

    One more sleep until Scotland's Euros dream either lives on or crashes and burns. Nervous optimism? Complete and utter dread? I have no idea how I feel.

    Steve Clarke and Andy Robertson certainly didn't give much away. Let's hope they do a bit more talking on the pitch.

    We'll see you tomorrow for all the build-up.

    Auf wiedersehen!

  2. What's the Swiss capital? What's the currency? And the population?published at 19:33 18 June

    19:33 18 June

    Right then, let's finish on a high.

    Steven Thompson has been out quizzing the Tartan Army on all things Switzerland.

    Enjoy!

  3. Talk is cheap, says Robertsonpublished at 19:26 18 June

    19:26 18 June

    Here's that full quote from Andy Robertson when he seemed to hit out at external noise: "I could talk all night, it won't make a difference. It's easy to talk about a game of football, but it's not as easy to go out and do it.

    "We need action, although we talked after the game. A lot of people outside couldn't wait to dip in. That's fine, they get paid for that and we respect that.

    "But we have to act and do a lot better on the pitch. We need to be confident we can perform to our highest level and if we do that, we can cause any teams problems."

    Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (1)Image source, Getty Images

  4. Shankland on Munich 'hurt' and inspiring youngsterspublished at 19:19 18 June

    19:19 18 June

    Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (2)Image source, Getty Images

    Lawrence Shankland sat down with the Scotland media team, external to discuss the fallout from Munich, facing Switzerland and his journey to the Euros.

    Here's what the Hearts striker had to say...

    On the painful defeat to Germany: "We got that initial hurt after the game, but you need to very quickly get over it. The past couple of days have been spent analysing what went wrong and trying to make things better.

    "There are a lot of good characters in the changing room, you've seen that past couple of days when people have been lifting each other. We’ll move on positively."

    What it means to be at the Euros and inspiring others: "It's great. It's the stuff you dream of as a kid growing up. I'm delighted to be here and hopefully we can finish the group positively.

    "Hopefully [my journey] inspires a few along the way. In football everyone has their journey. Some are really successful, some are up and down. I wouldn't change much about mine, it’s been great. When you get moments like this it makes all the hard work worth it."

  5. 'Gilmour massively missed against Germany'published at 19:16 18 June

    19:16 18 June

    Pat Nevin
    Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Billy Gilmour together with Callum McGregor looks right, feels right, and at this level it is right. That was massively missed against Germany.

    I was sat beside Chris Sutton after the game and he did not say one bad word about Che Adams because he understood. Adams was on his lonesome, getting poor quality of ball, and no one was near him.

    If Che Adams starts, I'd be fine with that. But I'd be okay with Shankland, too.

  6. Postpublished at 19:15 18 June

    19:15 18 June

    Let's have a little more punditry about tomorrow night's Scotland team.

    Should Billy Gilmour start? That seems to be the question on everyone's lips...

  7. 'Talk is easy' - Robertsonpublished at 19:11 18 June

    19:11 18 June

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadion

    Going back to what Andy Robertson said, he did have an interesting answer on the negative reaction to what was admittedly a poor opening day performance:

    "A lot people from the outside couldn't wait to dip into the criticism."

    Hmm. Contrastingly, he was almost apologetic to the travelling Tartan Army: "We let them down and we have to put that right now."

  8. What are you thinking, Tartan Army?published at 19:06 18 June

    19:06 18 June

    What do you make of that then, Scotland fans?

    Does Steve Clarke's stoic nature fill you with optimism and belief?

    Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

  9. 'At least' one change - Clarkepublished at 19:02 18 June

    19:02 18 June

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadion

    Intriguingly, Steve Clarke tells me to expect "at least one change" tomorrow, perhaps meaning Ryan Porteous won't be the only player dropping out.

    "Everyone else is fit," Clarke tells me. Billy Gilmour? Could he start?

    "We have to start better and get a good foothold in the game," Clarke adds.

    Amen to that. And with that, he walks off stage.

  10. And like that, he's awaypublished at 18:57 18 June

    18:57 18 June

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland at the Allianz Arena

    Well, that was short.

    Steve Clarke was on the podium for only eight minutes.

    Two Swiss journalists managed to extrapolate a laugh from him at one point, but other than that it was to-the-point responses from the manager when speaking to the Scottish media.

    He refused to ponder what this game meant in terms of his own career, and also said there would be "at least one" change, with Ryan Porteous' replacement being that one.

    Hmmm.

  11. Postpublished at 18:55 18 June

    18:55 18 June

    Steve Clarke gives his team news in typically Clarke-esque fashion: "Everyone fit and available. Ryan Porteous obviously won't play, so at least one change."

    On his thoughts on Porteous' red card, he says: "I've not got any. He's suspended."

  12. 'We have to go again, it's that simple'published at 18:53 18 June

    18:53 18 June

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadion

    Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (3)Image source, Getty Images

    Steve Clarke, interestingly, says he doesn't want to say too much or make too many promises as he wants his players to do all the talking on the pitch.

    One message was clear, though: "We have to go again. It's that simple."

  13. Postpublished at 18:51 18 June

    18:51 18 June

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadium

    Steve Clarke seems quieter than he was on Thursday before the Germany game.

    At the Allianz Arena there were a few wee smiles and the odd quip. The Scotland manager has his poker face on here.

  14. 'Thinking you only need a point is dangerous' - Clarkepublished at 18:51 18 June

    18:51 18 June

    Scotland boss Steve Clarke praises Switzerland: "Very impressed with the Swiss. They were excellent, really good in first half and controlled second half well. When they needed late goal, they managed to do that.

    "They're a difficult opponent, I expect a difficult game. For us, it's to regroup and go again. It's that simple.

    "It's about doing better, working better in the game. We thought we were well prepared for Germany. Obviously we weren't. This time, I think it's better not to say too much.

    "Going into the game thinking you only need a point is dangerous."

  15. Postpublished at 18:47 18 June

    18:47 18 June

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadium

    Here comes the boss...

  16. Belief still therepublished at 18:46 18 June

    18:46 18 June

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Scotland in Cologne

    One thing is clear from the Scotland captain, the belief is still very much there within the squad.

    He's honest enough to acknowledge that improvements need to be made from Friday, but critically says he's confident his side can and will be better against the Swiss.

  17. 'It was just about survival'published at 18:44 18 June

    18:44 18 June

    Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (4)Image source, Getty Images

    Andy Robertson might have said he didn't want to talk about Friday, but it has been the focus of this media conference: "Trust me, we tried to sort it out on the pitch. There were discussions on the pitch. But when you've got a player like Toni Kroos dictating the game...

    "Everything unravelled. Second half the lads dug deep and it wasn't pretty but we defended as a unit, strongly.

    "It was just about trying to survive and we did that to an extent."

  18. 'We have to get back to being us'published at 18:43 18 June

    18:43 18 June

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at the Koln Stadion

    Here's an insight from Andy Robertson about the element of "fear" that crept into Scotland's game against the hosts on Friday...

    Scotland simply weren't themselves, he admits: "We have to get back to being us."

    Robertson doubles down: "It's about us showing up."

  19. Scotland captain dismisses talk of one point being enoughpublished at 18:40 18 June

    18:40 18 June

    A little more from Andy Robertson: "We don't want to look back too much. We have a big game coming up tomorrow night which we're all excited about and we want to show what Scotland are all about. That's the best way for us to get a result.

    "We've had too much to discuss from Friday night [to talk about a draw]. We believe if we perform on the day, whoever we're playing, that gives us the best chance.

    "It comes down to game management within the game. 'Are we in a position to settle for a draw? Can we go for the win?' That happens on the night naturally."

  20. Captain's rolepublished at 18:37 18 June

    18:37 18 June

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Scotland in Cologne

    Andy Robertson is speaking really well, he's facing some tough questions and isn't shirking away from any of them.

    His determination to put things right is shining through.

    Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (5)Image source, Getty Images

Scotland build-up to Switzerland match at Euro 2024 - live text (2024)
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