Steve Clarke warns Scotland stars 'forget the circus' to avoid being Euro 2024 sideshow act in Germany

Steve last night insisted Scotland won’t become a sideshow at Germany’s big circus in Munich on Friday.

The national boss is fine-tuning his final preparations for the Group A opener against the home nation on the night when Euro 2024 will officially get up and running at a packed-out Allianz Arena. That includes working out how to get his players properly ready for the big kick-off behind the scenes when a glitzy opening ceremony is taking place out on the pitch – including a tribute to the great Franz Beckenbauer who passed away earlier this year.

And Clarke has already warned his players they cannot allow themselves to be distracted from the aim of getting the campaign off to a flying start. He said: “Individually they have to understand that we’re not there for the occasion. We’re there for the game and the vast majority will understand that. The pre-match routine will be different because there’s a show going on on the pitch. It’s going to be completely different and we’ll have a chat about that. We’ll tell the players to expect something different, to adapt and be ready. Forget the circus that’s going on round about us and enjoy the game.”

Clarke also insists he’s not been suckered into believing reports that the Germans are undercooked for the finals – and has dismissed claims that Julian Nagelsmann’s camp may already be fractured by infighting.

Speaking on Tuesday to the Scottish National team channel he said: “Everyone was telling me when the draw was made that Germany wasn’t in a good place. I wasn’t fooled. I wasn’t getting carried away with that talk. You know when it comes to a major tournament that Germany are always ready.

“It’s a home tournament. You know they’re going to be really up for this one.