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Scotland begin Euro 2024 preparations against the Netherlands in Amsterdam

Scotland begin Euro 2024 preparations against the Netherlands in Amsterdam

Scotland will begin their preparations for Euro 2024 this evening when they take on the Netherlands, live on talkSPORT 2. 

The Tartan Army booked their place at the tournament in Germany after finishing second in Group A behind Spain. 

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Scotland are heading to Germany this summerCredit: Getty

Steve Clarke’s side have four friendlies ahead of the summer with a trip to Amsterdam preceding a clash against Northern Ireland in this international break. 

They will be aiming to pick up a win against the Dutch who boast a very strong squad for this fixture and their meeting with Germany next week. 

Netherlands vs Scotland: Winless in two decades

Scotland will be heading to the Netherlands eyeing a first win since 2003. 

They have met the Oranje five times following a 1-0 win in the European Championship play-offs 11 years ago. 

In four of those fixtures, they have failed to score, losing every meeting. 

A 6-0 defeat was followed by a 3-0 and two 1-0 losses in a terrible run of form. 

The most recent game between Scotland and Netherlands ended in a 2-2 draw three years ago in a friendly. 

Kevin Nisbet put his country ahead in the second half before Memphis Depay equalised in the 89th minute, scoring his second of the game. 

Depay loves a goal against Scotland, also scoring in 2018

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Depay loves a goal against Scotland, also scoring in 2018

Netherlands vs Scotland: Team news 

Depay is in the Netherlands squad for the first time in over a year after multiple injury struggles. 

Georginio Wijnaldum was also selected after a long period out while Quinten Timber is set to make his debut for his country. 

Netherlands squad 

  • Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (Brest), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).
  • Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan).
  • Midfielders: Daley Blind (Girona) ,Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Joey Veerman (PSV), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord) en Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq).
  • Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Xavi Simons (Leipzig), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim).
Van Dijk will captain the Netherlands

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Van Dijk will captain the NetherlandsCredit: Getty

As for Scotland, Grant Hanley has pulled out of the squad after only just returning from a long-term injury. 

Scott McKenna has also dropped out ahead of the two friendlies this month.

Midfielder Callum McGregor, full-back Aaron Hickey and forward Jacob Brown are also unavailable.

Scotland squad 

  • Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
  • Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
  • Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
  • Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

Netherlands vs Scotland: What has been said? 

Scotland boss Clarke has admitted there could be some tough decisions to make when picking his Euro 2024 squad later this year. 

Speaking about his selection for this international break, he said: “It’s good to get a few back. 

“Obviously there are still three or four missing that I would like to have been in the squad. 

“But the key thing for me is to make sure that, come the start of May, I’ve got tough selections to make, everybody fit and available.

“If we can get to May and I have to make those tough decisions, obviously it will be unfortunate for the ones who miss out, but that’s part of the job. 

“I have got to do it. I will be ready to do it.”

Clarke is ready to make tough decisions for the Euros

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Clarke is ready to make tough decisions for the EurosCredit: Getty

Netherlands vs Scotland: talkSPORT coverage 

This international friendly will take place on Friday, March 22. 

Kick-off at the Johan Cruyff ArenA is scheduled for 7:45pm. 

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of the game. 

Commentary will come from Nigel Adderley and former Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo.