International Friendly
Gibraltar v Scotland
Monday, 3 June 2024 (5pm kick-off)
Estadio Algarve, Faro, Portugal

Scotland's UEFA EURO 2024 24 journey arrives at its penultimate stop tomorrow night as the national team travel to Portugal to face Gibraltar.

Steve Clarke now has two matches left to prepare his squad for the opening match of the tournament against host nation Germany on 14 June, with tomorrow’s game followed by what is sure to be a party atmosphere at Hampden Park on Friday, 7 June as the Scotland supporters bid farewell to their heroes.  

With the finals in Germany now tantalisingly close, Scotland supporters will be hoping their side get the summer off to the perfect start and in the process end a run of seven matches without victory.

Previous Meetings

Gibraltar have provided the opposition for Scotland on only two previous occasions, both in 2015 during the qualification campaign for UEFA EURO 2016.

Scotland not only ran out winners in both fixtures but did so in style, scoring six goals in each game in the process. Steven Fletcher proved to be the standout in both fixtures, claiming the match ball in each game after netting hat-tricks.

The first match at Hampden Park in March ended in a 6-1 victory thanks to two Shaun Maloney penalties, a goal from Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher’s hat-trick.

The return leg in October that year – also played in the Estadio Algarve in Portugal – also proved to be a goal-fest for Scotland, Steven Fletcher’s hat-trick complemented by goals from Chris Martin, Shaun Maloney and an injury time sixth from Steven Naismith.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson is the only player in the squad now to have been involved in either of the previous two meetings. The Liverpool fullback started both games in 2015, while current assistant coach James Morrison also played in the home fixture that year.

Team News

The game may come too soon for Stuart Armstrong and Scott Mctominay, who have been continuing their recovery from recent injuries.  

Talismanic Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes was sadly injured in training on Friday and subsequently ruled out of the tournament following medical assessment.

In his absence, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams will be aiming to fill the gap as the two recognised strikers in the squad, while Celtic forward James Forrest will be hoping to earn his first Scotland cap since he played against Czech Republic in EURO 2020.

Following an incredible end to the domestic season, Forrest has burst back on to the Scotland scene, with his pace and energy certain to add a different dimension to the squad.

The two uncapped players in the squad, Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie and Liverpool forward Ben Doak, will be hoping to make the step up to international football in the game.

While McCrorie has been involved in squads before he is yet to make his debut but will now look to seize the opportunity after injuries to Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson opened the door.

Having impressed for the Scotland Under-21s and been involved in the first team with Liverpool earlier this season until injury halted his season, Doak will now aim to use tomorrow’s match to press his claim to be included in the final squad for the tournament and make his stamp on the global stage.

Pre-Match Thoughts

Scotland defender Liam Cooper: ""This is going to be a good game for us. We don't underestimate anybody and we've got to get a strong performance, full of energy.

"You've got to put yourself in the manager's thoughts whenever you play, whatever minutes you get.

"You've got to be at your best and give your all for this team and, to be fair, every single player has in training and we drive each other.

"We've got a great feeling around the place and obviously it's going to be a tough decision for the manager and it's going to be tough to take for whoever does miss out, but right now our focus is on obviously getting in that final squad and getting on that plane to Germany."

Where to watch

The game will be shown live on Premier Sports 1, kick-off 5pm.