Euro Countdown: Scots Growing In Confidence?

Last updated : 04 June 2021 By Three Lions

Scotland stepped up their Euro 2020 preparations with a creditable 2-2 draw against the Netherlands on Wednesday evening despite the absence of a number of players due to Covid-19 precautions.

Steve Clarke's side led twice against one of their fellow finalists and were only denied a victory by a late Memphis Depay free-kick.

Once again the Scots proved difficult to break down, restricting Holland to just three shots on target despite their 62% possession.

Six of the missing players can return for Sunday's final warm-up against Luxembourg before the Euros opener against Czech Republic on Monday 14 June.

That, of course, is the other game in Engand's group and a win for the Scotland would see them travel to Wembley in buoyant mood, especially if Gareth Southgate's side do not beat Croatia.

The Euro 96' clash between the Auld Enemy is remembered more now for Paul Gascoigne's goal but England's opening draw against Switzerland had piled the pressure on the hosts and a well-organised Scotland side then restricted them to very few opportunities in the opening 45 minutes at Wembley.

If Gary McAllister's penalty had hit the back of the net it would have meant a very different tournament to the way it eventually turned out for England.

In other tournament warm-ups this week, Spain and Portugal played out a goalless draw in Madrid while much-fancied Belgium were held by Greece.