Kenny Miller: Euro 2020 disappointment will drive Scotland on in Germany

Former Scotland forward Kenny Miller believes the disappointment of Euro 2020 will help drive Steve Clarke’s men on to new heights in Germany.

The eyes of Europe will be on Munich on Friday night when the national team kick off the European Championships with a game against the hosts.

It the second time in a row that Scotland have reached the tournament, following a 23-year wait, and ex Rangers, Celtic and Hibs star Miller believes they have a great chance to get out of the groups for the first time.

The last Euros, that was played in 2021 after being delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, ended in disappointment with only one point and one goal from three games against Czech, England and Croatia.

But Miller, who won 69 caps for the country during his playing career, believes the current squad will use that experience to help them reach the knockout stages.

He said: “He’s got some wonderful players that are playing a very good level, I think the experience they have from three years ago is going to drive them this time because I don’t think we done ourselves justice at the last Euros.

“There was a lot made about it being our first major tournament in a long time and that kind of took over and there was an overriding feeling that we were just happy to be back.

“But I think they should have done better and I think they will believe within the group that they should have done better, so this the time to put that right.

“I always remember on one of my first trips when Tommy Burns said, he was talking about how we become the most successful Scottish team? Well you qualify for the next stage of a major tournament.

“This team has a real opportunity to do that, because three teams from most groups qualify.”

Miller never managed to play at a major international tournament during the barren years that followed the World Cup in 1998, and admits he would have loved the opportunity to take part on the biggest stage.

He said: “It’s been made a little bit more easier with the Nations League and the tournaments expanding, but it is what is.

“Would you love to have been walking out at major tournament? Absolutely, and that was always the goal at the start of every single campaign.”