Euro 2024

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Sep 8, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

AEK Arena - George Karapatakis

Cyprus
0 - 3
Scotland

Correia (8'), Pittas (57'), Ioannou (84')

FT(HT: 0-3)

McTominay (6'), Porteous (16'), McGinn (30')

Steve Clarke: 'Scotland will stay level-headed despite being on brink of Euro 2024'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: September 9 2023 | 09:58

Last updated: September 9 2023 | 14:16

Clarke: 'Scotland will stay level-headed despite near-qualification'

Steve Clarke insists that Scotland will stay "level-headed" despite being on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2024 after cruising past Cyprus on Friday night.

Steve Clarke has called on his Scotland side to 'not get ahead of themselves' despite moving to the brink of qualifying for Euro 2024.

The Tartan Army went into Friday's encounter in Cyprus having won their opening four matches in Group A to leave them clear of Spain and Norway.

A fifth victory was recorded as they cruised to a 3-0 triumph in Larnaca as Scott McTominay, Ryan Porteous and John McGinn all got on the scoresheet in the opening 30 minutes.

As a result, Scotland now sit nine points clear in first place and will qualify for the next year's Finals unless they lose their remaining three games and one of Norway or Georgia prevail in each of last four fixtures.

Those two teams square off on Tuesday, where a draw would confirm Scotland's spot in Germany, but Clarke is prepared to allowed the nation's supporters to start getting excited about a second successive appearance in the European Championship, rather than himself.

Scotland's John McGinn celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on September 8, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Clarke said: "Another win in the process to try to qualify for another major tournament. That's been the aim since the start. To win five games in the group is great, it's what we want to do, but we're not there.

"Everyone can get excited, the Tartan Army can get excited; we'll just stay level-headed. We've got a really tough game in Spain next month, and if we've got to go there and get something then that's what we'll try to do.

"If you get ahead of yourself, it can come back to bite you. We just focus game to game, try to play as well as we can play, and if we do that we've got a chance to pick up more points."

As well as facing Spain in Seville, Scotland must also travel to Georgia before hosting Norway in their final game of the group on November 19.

Scotland are now switching their attention to an international friendly with England at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.