STEVE CLARKE has sent Scotland’s squad list to Uefa for this summer’s Euro 2024 campaign.
After much deliberation, devastation and drop-outs, 26 heroes will head to Germany after their big Hampden send-off.
Initially, boss Clarke named 28-players to be considered at a pre-tournament training camp and matches in the south of Portugal and southside of Glasgow.
But it ended up a squad of 30 considered as yet more injuries struck down his stars dreaming of Deutschland.
The decision now, though is final and it’s next stop Munich for the Finals themselves.
John Souttar and Craig Gordon are the unlucky duo cut from Clarke’s squad – as Sunsport exclusively revealed on Wednesday night.
Read More Scotland stories
Keeper Craig was an unusued substitute for the last campaign and rallied back from a YEAR out with a horrific broken leg to earn consideration.
Rangers defender Souttar – a former team-mate for club and country – has struggled for fitness and has been left out of a position Scotland have plenty of cover for.
It was a tough decision for the boss “almost impossible,” he said
Clarke rued: “That’s my job, I have to do it. It won’t be nice, it won’t be easy, but we’ll deal with that.”
Two decisions were also made for him during the selection process.
Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson were ruled out before the long-list was released.
Then Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak both picked up injuries in the camp and were ruled out.
Images of Dykes being stretchered off the training pitch at Lesser Hampden spread quickly online last week – and fans blasted the bad luck that’s hampered the squad since sweeping Spain and knocking out Norway in the qualification campaign.
The crock shocks did lead to late call-ups for Tommy Conway and Lewis Morgan though – and a total of 26 who’ll be based at Garmisch-Partenkirchen near the Germany-Austria border.
The squad have been tasked with making history and leading Scotland out of the group stages of a major tournament for the first time.
In 11 previous attempts – eight World Cups and three Euros – the Tartan Army have always headed home after the first round.
First up is Germany in Munich for the opening match on June 14.
Then Switzerland and Hungary in Cologne and Stuttgart stand in Scotland’s way of a first ever knock-out place in the last 16.
The 26-man squad heading for Germany
GOALKEEPERS: Angus Gunn, Zander Clark, Liam Kelly.
DEFENDERS: Andy Robertson, Liam Cooper, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley, Ross McCrorie, Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor, Ryan Porteous.
MIDFIELDERS: John McGinn, Ryan Jack, Callum McGregor, Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie, James Forrest, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Stuart Armstrong.
ATTACKERS: Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland, Tommy Conway, Lewis Morgan.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page