Scotland’s hopes of reaching Euro 2024 have officially come to an end after a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Hungary on Sunday night. It was a must-win game for Scotland, who needed to secure victory against Hungary to keep their qualification hopes alive after disappointing results against Germany and Switzerland.
Despite the desperate need for a win, Scotland struggled to find offensive momentum throughout the game. The frustration peaked when Stuart Armstrong was brought down in the penalty area, only for the referee to wave play on. In the dying moments of the game, Hungary’s Kevin Csoboth scored the decisive goal, crushing Scotland’s dreams of advancing in the tournament.
With Hungary still in contention for the knockout stages, Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign is over with just one point from three games. Manager Steve Clarke, who successfully guided Scotland to the last two European Championships, will face scrutiny for his team’s lack of attacking prowess.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton criticized Clarke for not utilizing James Forrest, who was left on the bench for all three games. Sutton believes that Forrest could have provided the spark that Scotland needed to create quality chances and potentially change the outcome of the matches. Despite his age, Forrest’s goal-scoring record for Celtic suggests that he could have made a difference for Scotland.
As Forrest looks to bounce back from his Euro disappointment, he may consider his future in the national team setup. With injury concerns and the desire to focus on his club career, Forrest could decide to step away from international football to prolong his time at Celtic.
Overall, Scotland’s Euro 2024 exit raises questions about team selection, tactics, and the future of key players like Forrest. As they regroup and reflect on their performance, Scotland will need to address these issues to ensure future success on the international stage.
