Josh Magennis hands Scotland Euros success blueprint to emulate Northern Ireland history makers

Josh Magennis sees no reason why Scotland can’t copy Northern Ireland and become one of the shock troops at Euro 2024.

The big striker was part of the Irish squad who qualified for the 2016 European Championships. Northern Ireland not only got back to the big time but also made it all the way to the knockout stages - where they eventually lost to Wales. Magennis believes there is more than enough quality in Steve Clarke’s squad to see Scotland make their own history this summer and progress out of the groups for the first time.

The Northern Ireland cap predicted: “They will go to the tournament and do extremely well. “Scotland are a hard team to break down and they are very compact. They have a wealth of experience of players who have played in big tournaments and won big trophies. “I don’t think it will be anything but a solid tournament from Scotland.

“I don’t think they have ever qualified out of a group. There is no reason why Scotland can’t do that. Tournament football is like knockout football, where anything can happen. The games are tough, there is a quick turnaround and they will go to Germany and give a good account of themselves and Scottish football.”

Scotland go into a Euro 2024 group with Germany, Switzerland and Hungary. Magennis knows from experience that it is about turning those little things into big wins. “We got to the knockout stages where unfortunately we lost to Wales,” the frontman recalled.

“We got beat 1-0. As long as you are hard to beat and can stay in the game then if you can turn the little things, like set pieces and throw-ins and turn them into big things. Then the percentages can swing your way.

“Certainly, since Steve Clarke has come in he has been brilliant and what the country