After waiting 23 years to break a cycle of failure, Scotland’s return to the international stage ended in a manner all too familiar.
With home advantage for their Euro 2020 matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia either side of a trip to Wembley, hopes were growing that Steve Clarke’s side could become the first in history to break the group stage glass ceiling.
However, by the time Luka Modric’s wizardry had condemned Scotland to a second defeat on home soil, a point won against England in game two felt like little consolation.
Just as had happened at the 1992 and 1996 European Championships and at eight World Cups dating back to 1954, Scotland left the side before things started to get interesting.
While the pride of returning to the big stage was palpable, the feeling that we left it far too soon lingers to this day.
This then is an opportunity for reconciliation. Whatever happens in the matches with Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and hopefully more in the coming days, this time skipper Andy Robertson plans to board the plane home knowing the team has gone on its shield.
Skipper Robertson says the Scots are ready to compete with the Germans and beyond
Scotland captain Robertson looks confidently ahead
Robertson and boss Clarke emerge from the Allianz Arena tunnel
“Qualifying for the first European Championship was huge for us and to do two in a row was incredible,” he said.
‘But now we actually want to compete. Last time we did quite well against England, but in the other two we let ourselves down a bit.
‘We could have done better. This time we don’t want to have any regrets.
‘We have to get rid of that. We believe we can be the team that makes history.
‘We will first concentrate on tomorrow evening and it won’t be much more difficult. But we are excited about the challenge and what lies ahead.
‘We did the hard part by qualifying. Now let’s see what else we can do.’
In a journey that began in the foothills of the game at Queen’s Park, Robertson has climbed to places where the visibility is clear and the air thin.
The Glaswegian won the Champions League with Liverpool and played in two more finals.
He was part of the first team at Anfield in 20 years to win the title and win the FA Cup and the League Cup twice.
Wearing his country’s colors, he helped end the long wait to reach a grand final on a famous night in Belgrade.
Now in his 30s, he could have been forgiven for believing that nothing he could ever experience in football could eclipse what he has already seen. And then came the 2024 European Championship draw in Hamburg in December.
While Scotland’s adventure in Germany this summer was going to be seismic whatever happened, the magnitude of tonight’s match in Munich is difficult to quantify.
Even from their quiet training camp in Bavaria it was impossible to escape the feeling that this is the biggest event involving Scotland since their clash with Brazil in the opening match for the ’98 World Cup in France.
“We’ve seen all the videos of the fans landing, of them in the squares around the city,” Robertson added.
“We all know so many people who are here, it feels like most of the country has come here.
“The Tartan Army has been great for us from day one. When the gaffer came in there was a conscious decision to try and get them in the side because the support at home games had dropped, even though those who go abroad with us have always been incredible.
‘Listen, we know they can’t all get into the stadium tomorrow night – we would love that – but wherever they are, here or at home, we want to make them proud.
“If we perform the way we know how, hopefully they’ll have 10 to 12 great days.”
Robertson has fond memories of the huge arena Scotland will enter after a lavish opening ceremony.
Five years ago, Liverpool’s hopes of winning a sixth European Cup faded after a goalless draw with Bayern Munich at Anfield.
Robertson admits the Scots have let themselves down with the last euros and are prepared to pay
Clarke shares a joke with his players during the countdown to the match against Germany
On a famous night for Jurgen Klopp’s side, they stunned the local favorites by starting a run that would end with a final victory over Tottenham. What Robertson wouldn’t give for a similar outcome tonight.
“It was a huge win for Liverpool,” he remembers.
‘A lot of people had written us off after we drew 0-0 at Anfield, but we went in front of all those Bayern supporters and beat them 3-1.
‘It was incredible to be a part of it and it’s even more special that it took us on the journey to winning the Champions League. It was such an important match.
“Jurgen Klopp texted me last week when I broke the record as Scotland captain, which he didn’t have to do and that was good of him. He just said congratulations.
“I know he’ll be here, and I know who he’ll support! I hope he enjoys his evening, but not too much…’
Expectations within Germany are not quite at the level you would associate with a host country with such a history.
However, no one within the Scottish camp believes Julian Nagelsmann’s side will offer anything other than the toughest of challenges.
‘There’s no secret here. Germany will dominate the ball against us,” Robertson predicted.
‘They have the best midfielder in the world in Toni Kroos and many more players who are great on the ball.
‘What we have to do is capitalize when we have the ball. Then we have to make it difficult for them, close the spaces.
Robertson has fond memories of Munich after winning there with Liverpool five years ago
John McGinn puts his best foot forward as the Scots continue their training
“The key to getting results will be whose game plan works better, who shows up.
‘There is a lot of pressure on Germany to win the tournament and they don’t want anyone or anything to stand in their way. But that’s our job.’
Of the three matches Scotland face over the next ten days, this is without a doubt the toughest assignment.
But to go where no Scotland team has gone before, nothing can be considered a free hit.
“We all know how quickly a tournament can pass you by, so we have to make the most of the opportunities we have here,” Robertson said.
‘As a group it doesn’t get much harder, but at the same time there is no pressure or expectation on us from outside. All we can do is play to the max and see how it goes. It’s time to show what we can do.’
