Steve Clarke urges Scotland fans to take pride in their Euros opener as he sets his sights on knockout stages

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IT’S sobering, sometimes, to see yourself as others see you. Julian Nagelsmann used to view Scotland teams as long-ball merchants who fought like lions for the knockdowns by any means necessary.

Just the other day, former German international Robert Huth predicted a ‘mega-defensive’ display from Steve Clarke’s side in tonight’s opening game of Euro 2024. If that’s what he thinks, he clearly hasn’t watched them play.

It’s Nagelsmann’s job to study his opponents in detail, and the wunderkind of German coaching spoke last night of the cultural progression initiated under Clarke. He spoke of how good the Scots are in the final third, how much stress they create for opponents with the ball at their feet. He praised their pressing, and the counter attacking of players like Billy Gilmour, John McGinn and Scott McTominay

Clarke, said the 36-year-old Germany boss, had done a ‘brilliant’ job and changed the way Scotland play football.

When the Ayrshireman took over, there were members of the Tartan Army who wouldn’t have opened the back curtains to watch his team play. Yesterday they thronged the streets around Munich’s bustling Marienplatz to drink, sing and revel in their return from the international wilderness.

With any luck, they will still be around when Group A is done and dusted. A special night - and, with any luck, a special tournament - lies in wait. For Clarke, the over-riding reaction to all of this is pride. Justified, slightly humbled, pride.

Steve Clarke and Andy Robertson emerge from the tunnel for a look at the Allianz Arena

Clarke was in jovial mood as he faced an increased media presence ahead of the Euros opener

Billy Gilmour and Grant Hanley showed no sign of nerves as they enjoyed final training session

‘I think we should all be proud that we’re here,’ he said.

‘It’s been a long time since 1998 when we last travelled abroad for a major tournament.

‘That’s why the nation is so excited. The last European championships was obviously Covid-affected, but I’m proud we’ve managed to achieve back-to-back qualifications.

‘And, hopefully, by the end of these Championships, we’re all proud that we’ve achieved a little bit more.’

Clarke is routinely portrayed by his detractors as a slightly dour, hangdog type. Yet he began his nine-minute media conference - cut short in needless, ridiculous fashion by a UEFA media jobsworth - by widening his eyes at the number of journalists in the room and cracking a joke.

‘First of all, it’s quite a busy press conference, so it must be a big game…’

Clarke was giving nothing away about his team selection for the eagerly-anticipated clash

German coach Nagelsmann had earlier heaped praise on the job done by Clarke with Scotland

Like a political leader heading into a General Election, a major tournament can be a double-edged sword for an international football manager.

If he does well, he’s the cock of the north, lord and master of all he surveys. If he fails, he loses his deposit and starts looking for a new job.

After five years at the helm, this Euros can go one of two ways for Clarke.

If it ends like so many, with one goal and one point and an early flight home, the critics will be quick to sharpen the knives.

If it ends in progress to the knockout stages for the first time ever, he can order his suit and prepare for a trip to Buck House.

For now, he intends to live for the moment and savour the high point of his managerial career to date.

The Tartan Army takeover of Munich continued apace, with this piper the centre of attention

‘I think now, with the experience I’ve picked up along the way, I can do that,’ he said.

‘I have been lucky enough to have been involved in big matches throughout my career, for example Champions League finals.

‘I was lucky enough to be involved in big games like that.

‘I have also been a manager at the European Championships as well, but I’ll enjoy this one even better once we’ve got four points on the board.’

No-one thinks that’s easy. Scotland’s national team have played 32 games at World Cups and European Championships in the last 70 years. They’ve won just six.

A Germany team featuring the extravagant talents of Toni Kroos - seeking an emotional farewell - Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz would be no-one’s idea of the perfect start to a major tournament. Least of all in their own backyard, before an expectant nation.

Scotland fans were enjoying the atmosphere in and around Munich ahead of the big kick-off

Asked if the sheer enormity of the task ahead had really sunk in, Clarke grinned.

‘No. But that’s just me. That’s the way I am.

‘Obviously it’s a big game but, for us, it’s the opening game of a four-team section so we’ll have three matches. We know what we have to do to qualify out of the section and that’s the only thing we’re focused on.

‘The enormity of the opening game or whatever? That’s a little bit of a sideshow and, hopefully, we don’t get too involved in that.’

Before kick-off comes an opening ceremony when UEFA plan to pay an emotional tribute to Franz Beckenbauer.

Germany’s two surviving European Championship-winning captains, Bernard Dietz and Jurgen Klinsmann, will be joined by Beckenbauer’s wife, Heidi, in carrying the Henri Delaunay Cup on to the Allianz Arena pitch before kick-off.

The team reported no fresh injury concerns as they concluded their preparations for Germany

Despite the doubts which surround this German side - they haven’t won the opening game of a major tournament in their last three attempts - home advantage makes it difficult to rule out the possibility of Ilkay Gundogan holding the trophy aloft on July 14.

Dismissive of all the ‘Germany in turmoil’ chat, Clarke says of the three time champions: ‘Good team. I think a lot of people have been trying to talk them down a little bit lately.

‘When Julian first went in, he probably found it similar to how I found it when I became Scotland head coach.

‘He had to try and find out his best team and he’s managed to do that. When the draw was first made, I felt this would be a really tough game and nothing has made me change my mind.’

Clarke has spent the week wrestling with a few personnel questions. Can Grant Hanley be trusted after his faltering display against Finland? Has Ryan Christie done enough to hold off a Scott McTominay or Callum McGregor? Does Anthony Ralston get the nod at right-back ahead of Ross McCrorie?

Lawrence Shankland (second right) leads the way as he limbers up for a potential hero's role

John McGinn was typically all smiles as he prepared for the biggest night of his career... to date

By 7 o’clock tonight, we’ll have the answer to those questions. More difficult to predict is how these Scotland players will cope with the unavoidable tension of playing one of the biggest games of their career so far.

‘It’s difficult for me to do that, they have to do that themselves,’ said Clarke. ‘That’s what they have to do.

‘But most of them have played in big matches before. I’m sure they’ll all handle the occasion quite well.

‘They are all good. There is an edge there now...’

To live with Germany in the opening game of their own tournament, they’ll need one.