It's All Kicking Off...

GERMANY versus Scotland at Munich's Allianz Arena on Friday, June 14... a prospect that has every Tartan Army footsoldier salivating!

- PAT NEVIN

It's the opening match of the UEFA European Championship 2024 football tournament - the most momentous game for our men's national team in more than 25 years.

The eyes of Europe and the world will be on us. Not since facing Brazil at the opener of the France 98 World Cup has our team played before such a global audience. It's a slice of footballing history.

Join us as we celebrate this amazing sporting occasion with our special 20-page Euro 2024 Scotland section. You'll find a fantastic opinion piece from former Scotland star and TV pundit Pat Nevin, stories of the madcap adventures of the intrepid Tartan Army, a sneak peek inside Hampden's museum, a super guide for travelling fans and even the tale of the only Scot ever to lift the World Cup... nae kidding by the way!

So, good luck Scotland - and, as Del Amitri once sang, don't come home too soon! 

More Than Just A Game

Former Scotland player turned writer, Pat Nevin, understands better than most how important this Euro 2024 tournament is for the country journey since he became manager and, let's be honest, we had a long way to go. Participation in major competitions had morphed from expectation to dream since those heady days of 1998.

We came close a few times, but when Steve led us to the Euros in 2021, almost a quarter of a century later, we knew things had changed.

That qualification, then this one for Germany, were no flukes, and they created some fabulous memories on the way.

Penalty shoot-out wins against Israel and Serbia were only tasters. Then there was the draw against England at Wembley, when we were the better side.

Reporting pitchside, I could feel the players' belief grow. After that, they believed they could compete against the best again.

Scott McTominay's 94th minute winner against Israel at Hampden Park sealed the new deal between the Tartan Army and this new group.