Ryan Jack States Scotland Players Still Regret Poor Euro 2024 Performance

Five months following their disappointing Euro 2024 performance, a sense of regret persists among Scotland’s players, according to midfielder Ryan Jack. Jack, who was part of Steve Clarke’s squad at the tournament, has spoken openly about the frustration of Scotland’s repeated group-stage exit. The Scots were eliminated after suffering defeats to Germany and Hungary, with their only point coming from a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. As Clarke’s team prepares to host Croatia in the Nations League on Friday night, Jack shared his thoughts on the BBC’s Scottish football podcast: “I still keep in touch with quite a lot of the players that are still involved.” He continued, “Over the summer we were bitterly disappointed. There’s no getting away from it. Not just on the results, but on the performances and a bit of regret not really thinking that we showed what we showed in the qualifying campaign, which was so good.” Jack concluded, “When we went to the tournament we never showed that, so there was a big frustration there.” Scotland, having secured only one victory in their last 16 matches, will participate in their final two Nations League fixtures – including an away game against Poland on Monday – currently positioned at the bottom of their group and striving to prevent relegation from the top division. However, Jack expressed encouragement regarding the team’s displays since the Euros, noting that Clarke and the squad have channeled their disappointment constructively. The 32-year-old, who transferred to Turkish second-tier club Esenler Erokspor following his departure from Rangers in the summer, commented: “I think since the Euros, I’m sure the manager and the staff went away, reflected heavily on how that went.” He continued, “And then I’m sure these players, because there’s no doubt I did when I left, you look back and you think, what could have we done differently? There’s all sorts, it does go through your head. So I’m sure everyone’s reflected.” Jack added, “And then I’m sure when they’ve met up again in the squad after that, it’s been a case of, right, let’s discuss it, let’s park it. And this is how we’re going to move forward.” Jack praised the manager, stating he is “very good at that and he’s very strong-minded. He’s strong at addressing what goes wrong.” He acknowledged that “results haven’t really come after the Euros but I definitely think performances have.”