Scotland’s Euro 2028 rebuild begins after Steve Clarke era ends

Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland national team manager, ending nearly seven years in charge. Scotland will co-host Euro 2028 alongside England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, and his tenure was marked by a painful pattern: three attempts at major tournaments, three failures to reach the knockout round.

The rebuild is already underway, built on young talent scattered across Europe’s top leagues. Nathan Patterson—Everton’s full back and former Rangers player—anchors the defensive line alongside Aaron Hickey of Brentford. Luke Graham from Dundee, who has caught Rangers’ eye, adds further defensive depth.

In midfield, the picture brightens. Lewis Ferguson at Bologna was Scotland’s standout player at the World Cup. Billy Gilmour, now at Napoli, offers technical craft—though a warm-up injury against Curaçao has sidelined him. Ben Gannon-Doak at Bournemouth rounds out the options in the centre.

The attack is where real excitement emerges. Findlay Curtis, Rangers’ winger, scored and won a penalty in a 4-1 rout of Curaçao. Kieron Bowie at Verona has been prolific: he scored against AC Milan in a 1-1 draw and netted four goals for the Italian club. Even Clarke recognised his potential: “Kieron is fantastic, he will be a big player for Scotland in the future.”

Other prospects are pushing through too. Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, who has played for Liverpool and Leeds United, already has 22 Scotland Under-21 caps. Robbie Ure moved from Belgian side Anderlecht to Swedish club Sirius after leaving Rangers, earning a Scotland Under-21 call-up in March before fitness issues kept him out of matches against Czechia and Portugal.

The incoming manager takes the reins of a squad with genuine European pedigree and genuine youth on their side. Home advantage at Euro 2028 is a prize Clarke’s seven years never quite secured.