Nightmare start but there remains a sliver of hope

Is it too soon for the meme from Trainspotting? It feels like it should be too soon for the meme from Trainspotting.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

But after Scotland made the worst possible start to their Euro 2024 campaign, in a nightmare opening defeat to the hosts Germany in Munich, Ewan McGregor's Renton may have an addition to his iconic monologue on Scottishness. Scotland never win anything, we are the lowest of the low, and after 45 minutes of their biggest game in 26 years, we head into half time three goals down, a player down, no shots, no corners, no nothing. Thank you Antonio Rudiger, you are our only hope.

A consolation own goal from the Germany centre back was celebrated by the tremendous Tartan Army, but Scotland played with the eyes of the world on them and were humiliated 5-1. Still, it could have been worse. Anything remains possible in Group A, which for Scotland may be the only positive of a literally sobering night where Germany continued their party and the Tartan Army’s came crashing down, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them.

Scotland took 200,000 to Germany, filling Munich with all the misguided hopes and dreams and belief in the world, and then watched it all melt away as a young, hungry Germany side ripped Steve Clarke’s team apart with speed, intensity and a quality of play that was simply beyond them.