John McGinn admits he has not "parked" the disappointment of Scotland's Euro 2024 exit as he prepares for a return to international duty. Steve Clarke's side host Poland in Thursday's Nations League A Group 1 opener then travel to face Portugal on Sunday (both games 19:45 BST). The Scots took one point from a possible nine in Germany, with a heavy defeat by the hosts and a late loss to Hungary sandwiching a battling draw with Switzerland.
"You definitely don't park them," the 29-year-old McGinn said. "I still think about getting relegated at St Mirren. What I could have changed? What you could do better - these things never leave you.
"Everyone always says the highs in football make the lows worth it, but that’s a lie, so it’ll always be in the back of your head things you could have done differently both together as a team and individually.
"We've come a long way as a nation to qualify for these tournaments. We didn't want that to just be enough, we all know we could have done better in the summer, but now there's a new batch of players coming in, a sort of different feel with the squad, and hopefully it'll re-energise all of us individually and hopefully everyone in the country as well."
Finishing in the top two of their group would send Scotland through to the quarter-finals. Third place would result in a relegation play-off while bottom place confirms relegation to League B.
And the campaign could ultimately influence the Scots' hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which would be their first since 1998.
"We've got a couple of years now to try to get to a World Cup," added McGinn.
"We've not achieved that in a long time. This group's managed to achieve things and break the pattern of not qualifying for tournaments. We've obviously not built on that.
"Thursday, it's about us getting on the front foot, embracing being in the top division in the Nations League, which is a first for us. We'll probably have a lot more people to prove wrong.
"We're all behind the manager and he certainly seems hungry and ready to go again and hopefully we can do what no-one's managed to do for a long time and get to another major tournament."
Assistant head coach John Carver believes failing to become the first Scotland side to reach a group stage has to motivate the team.
"We all took criticism," said Carver. "There was a huge amount of disappointment.
"We had a chance to create history and we didn't. That's got to be a drive and the motivation to go again.
"It's a new start today because there's a new competition starting. Our aim is to survive in the group, that's what we have to do. Yeah, you want to win or come second. Our priority will be - can we stay in the group?"
"We've got the preparation for the World Cup because the preparation for me now starts, which is why there'll be a few fresh faces in there, which is important," Carver explained.
"We've looked at every part of the world, part of the globe to see which players could come in to take us forward.
"Scotland were in the doldrums 23 years ago and now we're we've qualified for two back-to-back Euros, we've qualified and got into the Nations League Group A.
"There's still a huge gap to close. We'll try as long as we can to keep improving that and make progress."
Clarke's Euros Response: A Missed Opportunity?
Steve Clarke’s decision to come out of hiding after the Euros and name a squad for Scotland’s meetings with Poland and Portugal later in the month was met with mixed reactions. The manager’s lack of a proper post-mortem on the finals and his lack of a mea culpa has left some fans questioning his leadership and future.
Clarke’s response to the media was met with criticism, with many feeling that he lacked humility and remorse. His “Smart Alec jokes” were seen as out of touch with the mood of the nation.
"Why would you believe it will be any different next time?" asks one critic. "If there is a next time."
His comments about not having sleepless nights after the Hungary game further fueled the fire.
"He’s had two shots at a major finals and the second one was infinitely worse than the failure of the first. Why would you believe it will be any different next time?" asks one critic. "If there is a next time."
Scotland's Future: A Long Road Ahead?
While Clarke has guided Scotland to a major tournament after a two-decade drought, his recent performances have raised serious doubts.
His reluctance to acknowledge the need for change and his seemingly complacent attitude have left many questioning his ability to lead Scotland to a brighter future. The lack of a clear plan for improvement and his focus on running down his contract have further added to the concerns.
The road ahead for Scotland looks long and uncertain, and Clarke's future as manager remains in question.
Gauld's Return: A New Era For Scotland?
Ryan Gauld's return to the Scotland national team after a decade-long absence has sparked excitement among fans. The Vancouver Whitecaps captain, who has been a standout performer in MLS, brings a different dimension to the squad.
Clarke has described Gauld as "a creative player, slightly different to the type we have got."
Gauld’s inclusion in the squad has been met with positive reactions, with many hoping that he can bring a much-needed attacking spark to the team. His return, along with the other new faces in the squad, could signal a shift in approach for Scotland under Clarke.
New-Look Squad: A Fresh Start or A Missed Opportunity?
Steve Clarke has opted for a “freshen up” of the squad for the upcoming Nations League games, with several new faces making their debut. These changes could mark the beginning of a rebuild, but some critics argue that it’s too little too late.
They believe that Clarke should be looking to introduce even more young talent and embrace a more proactive approach. The Nations League presents an opportunity for Scotland to try out new players and experiment with tactics, but it remains to be seen whether Clarke will fully utilize this opportunity.
A Time For Change?
The future of Scottish football is at a crossroads. The team's recent performances have highlighted a need for change and a fresh perspective. While Clarke has brought success to Scotland in the past, his future as manager is now uncertain.
The upcoming Nations League matches will be crucial for Clarke to prove that he can adapt and evolve his approach. If he fails to do so, it may be time for a new chapter in Scottish football.
