THE SHARPE END: Scotland can FINALLY get past the Euros group stage but Scott McTominay and John McGinn will have to step up again for Steve Clarke’s side

Is this the year Scotland finally does it? Sure, it is.

Eight World Cups and three European Championships and never beyond the group stage, that old millstone wrapped like a tartan scarf.

This time, however, it feels different. Under Steve Clarke, Scotland is a team worthy of its place at the 2024 European Championship. They beat Spain to get there.

As legendary midfielder Gary McAllister says, Scotland has a better chance than ever to make history.

If they are to do that, Clarke’s two Big Macs – Scott McTominay and John McGinn – will be the key.

Scotland’s huge improvement under manager Steve Clarke was a remarkable achievement

Tartan Army punches above their weight

Yes, Scotland go into the Euros with just one win in their last nine games, but the improvement under Clarke is still remarkable.

They won five in a row on their way to the final, their best run in European Championship qualifying since 1995, beating Spain and Norway.

And when it comes to games that matter, few players have been better than Clarke’s men in recent times.

Scotland have won 15 of their last 21 competitive matches since September 2021 – in that time only Portugal can boast a better winning percentage in the competition. England is at 62 percent over the same period.

The Tartan Army won five in a row on their way to the final, their best run in European Championship qualifying since 1995, beating Spain and Norway.

Midfield duo their main source of goals

While striker Lawrence Shankland scored in the draw against Finland on Friday evening, Clarke has not been blessed with goals up front.

The role of his attackers is often to bring the two Big Macs – Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and Aston Villa captain John McGinn – into play.

As shown in the touch maps from the 3-0 win over Cyprus (right), they drive forward from midfield. They scored and assisted in this match and are Clarke’s main goal threat.

Only four players – and quite good ones – have scored more in qualifying than McTominay, while only Harry Kane has more goals and assists for a home side than McGinn since Clarke’s first game in charge.

PS – PS They also have the perfect pivot behind them in Billy Gilmour from Brighton. Among midfielders who attempted more than 1,000 passes in the Premier League last season, only Rodri and Mateo Kovacic had a higher completion percentage than Gilmour (92.2 percent).

Lawrence Shankland’s role is often to bring Scott McTominay and John McGinn into the game

Will the injury crisis ruin hopes?

It wasn’t easy for Clarke. This is Scotland after all. Liverpool strikers Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak were the latest to withdraw, joining Brentford’s Aaron Hickey, Everton’s Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson and Jacob Brown on the injury list.

So, will they do it? Pessimism about their football team is a national pastime, but apart from the burden of history and heartbreak – and a minor injury crisis – Scotland have never had a better opportunity.

They have the quality. They’re in a tough group with Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, but honestly the structure means it’s almost harder not to qualify. Four of the six third-place finishers advance. One win could be enough.

Strikers Lyndon Dykes (above) and Liverpool’s Ben Doak were the latest to withdraw with injury