The Rangers players in Scotland have received a communication from assistant manager John Carve that “two or three” slots in the Euro 2024 team are “still up for grabs.”
The right-hand man of Steve Clarke has also asserted that there is still time for someone unexpected to emerge in the form of Lawrence Shankland.
The striker with ties to Rangers, who may have even made it into Scotland’s starting lineup after firing his way onto the aircraft to Germany, has been identified as an inspiration for the Tartan Army.
“We believe we have a strong candidate for the Euro 2024 squad,” Carver remarked. However, we won’t discuss it just yet because someone might suddenly appear from behind the cabinet.
Lawrence Shankland entered and scored the goal. Although he was routinely scoring goals in the league, he scored the equalizer in Georgia when he entered the game.
“In my opinion, another Lawrence Shankland could suddenly materialize up on the rails.”
“But to be honest, Steve has a general idea. However, there might be two or three spots available, so we’ll have to see who fills them.”
Rangers now only have one player on the Scotland team, but at least six players will find these remarks interesting.
It’s obvious that any Scottish player who starts to break the mold in the last stretch of the season will be taken into consideration, even though some may only have a remote chance.
Is it possible for any of these names to secure a seat on the flight to Euro 2024?
Souttar John
The 27-year-old defender, who is now Rangers’ lone player in the Scotland squad, has recovered from a string of injuries to establish himself as an Ibrox fixture.
Although there is fierce defensive competition for a spot in the Euro 2024 squad, we know Steve Clarke holds John Souttar in the highest regard.
Scotland is well-stocked with players like Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Ryan Porteous (Watford), and Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), who are also regulars in Steve Clarke’s thoughts, despite the injuries to Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen) and Grant Hanley (Norwich City).
Based on John Carver’s remarks about Scotland, we believe that a defensive position is available, and John Souttar will need to continue playing well to hold it.
The withdrawal of Ryan Jack from the most recent Scotland squad raised severe doubts about his chances of qualifying for Euro 2024.
It’s difficult to blame the 31-year-old Rangers midfielder for wanting to make one last stand for Scotland in Germany considering he was not present at the pan-European competition in 2020–21.
Jack’s career has been affected by juggling Rangers and Scotland while dealing with a persistent run of ailments, and Philippe Clement has already acknowledged that talks about his future will take place.
Ryan Jack, who will not be renewing his contract at Ibrox in the summer, is currently focusing on getting healthy for the last stretch. If he plays well, we will definitely consider him for a Scotland call-up.
Scotland’s chances: 7 out of 10.
The only other player on this list who can confirm that he was a regular in the Scotland side is Robby McCrorie, who has been identified as the number one prospect for the Rangers and Tartan Army.
Given how gradual his entry to the Rangers first team has been, you might forget that the Ibrox academy goalie is 26 years old.
McCrorie will have difficulty obtaining an SFA-sponsored trip to Germany, according to Steve Clarke’s earlier season suggestions, unless he gains more first-team experience.
That’s a tough order, but not impossible for the goalie, who has been guaranteed minutes by Philippe Clement, with Jack Butland currently the Rangers’ legitimate number one.
Along midfielder Angus Gunn (Southampton), Liam Kelly (Motherwell), Craig Gordon, and Zander Clark (all Hearts), Robby McCrorie is vying for a spot.
Wright Scott
In the context of Rangers, Scott Wright is the clear choice if we are discussing guys that come out of nowhere and end up on the Scotland roster.
Despite making several significant appearances, like as in last week’s loss to Benfica, the 26-year-old winger has been a rotation player at Ibrox since signing in 2021. However, he has never shown the consistency or skill to warrant a Scotland call-up.
The winger was candid about his desire to play for Scotland when he came dangerously close to leaving Rangers for new opportunities in Turkey last summer.
Rangers’ wide areas have been appropriately bandaged, and in the next weeks, there will be chances. Will Scott Wright seize this opportunity to make an impression before Euro 2024?
Scotland’s chances: 3 out of 10.
King Leon
Leon King was once thought to be the next big thing in Scottish football and at Rangers, just a few years ago.
When Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s dismal squad was beset by injuries as a teenager, the defender was thrust into the spotlight of the Champions League.
Although the Scotland U21 international defender’s first taste of the big league was a confidence-sapping experience, rumors of him being linked to teams like Manchester United persisted.
Since then, Leon King’s progress has persisted in the background, but it’s a bit of a mystery why he hasn’t received much first-team experience at Rangers.
Can Leon King, who is still highly valued in the club’s development system, re-enter the Rangers lineup and establish himself as a wild card for Scotland?
Scotland’s odds: 2 out of 10.
McKinnon, Cole
Despite a string of injuries, Cole McKinnon has been starting for the Rangers lately, fulfilling Philippe Clement’s pledge to believe in his youthful players.
With the Scottish Cup match at Easter Road looming and the 21-year-old coming off the bench in Lisbon, the manager at Ibrox was sending a message.
It’s a big ask for the former Partick Thistle loanee to get on Steve Clarke’s radar after only being called up for the Scotland U21s, but weirder things have happened.
The Rangers youngster still has a lot to show, but if he can seize the possibilities that present itself in the coming weeks, perhaps something can materialize.
Scotland’s odds: 1/ten
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