Andy Murray backing Scotland to spring Euro 2024 surprise but bigger picture prediction won't go down well with Tartan Army

Andy Murray is backing his Scotland to “surprise a few people” and reach the group stages at Euro 2024.

But the double Wimbledon champion is still predicting an England against France final. The Scot, 37, got a taste of the atmosphere in Germany by playing in Boss Open in Stuttgart this week. He is back in the UK for the opening game against the host nation on Friday night. Scotland have never reached the knockout stages of a major tournament.

And Murray said: “They don’t necessarily have the biggest names but they have got a lot players who are playing at the highest level in the Premier League. A number of their players play in the Premier League. A lot of them play mid level to the top of the Championship. Yeah, providing they play well together as a team, there’s a good chance of them to get out of the group and hopefully they can surprise a few people. They have solid players. It will be interesting to see what happens.

"I will definitely try to watch the games when I can. It is always nice around Queen’s time when you are home, having a big football competition on, all of the players are watching in the players’ lounges, getting right into it. Scotland haven’t been in too many tournaments over the years. We tend to take a bit of stick to that. Hopefully they can do well.”

Asked to pick a winner, the former world No.1 said: “I don’t know the draw exactly of the Euros. Like who would play against who. If I had to pick teams to be in the final, I would probably go with France and England.”