5 burning Scotland issues as Steve Clarke prepares to name squad for Moldova and Denmark heraldscotland.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldscotland.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
7
Call it a debrief or a final goodbye, nevertheless the Scotland squad managed to squeeze in a team meeting on Wednesday night after the defeat to Croatia and another on Thursday morning before their Euro 2020 journey ended.
The players were understandably gutted and the mood was largely subdued but for many of the players this was their first taste of the kind of tournament experience they hope will become a regular occurrence.
Some in the squad will be aware that this could well have been their one shot at the big time. The squad will evolve and young prospects will be added to the mix. Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist went as far as to say, “Let’s be honest about it… we’ve got better players coming through than the ones that are playing.”
Southgate felt Phillips was comfortable in front of the defence or as a No 8, although the Leeds player could be behind James Ward-Prowse in the pecking order for the latter role. Kyle Walker has gone from being first choice on the right of a back three to first choice at right-back and his flexibility raises the prospect of Southgate choosing between Reece James and Kieran Trippier for the European Championship finals. Or maybe the either/or will be in central defence between Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings. Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Phil Foden burnished their reputations.
Which players not involved could still make the squad? Southgate missed a host of players through injury and, of them, Jordan Pickford, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford are certain to return – assuming they are fit – while Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and possibly Harvey Barnes will do battle with each other, most likely for two places. Danny Ings or Tammy Abraham would be hopeful of inclusion