Scotland 0 Czech Republic 2, Euro 2020 RECAP: Patrik Schick double, including goal from Hampden half-way line, tops Group D. Scotland miss injured Arsenal defender Tierney

Today is the day. Scotland return to a major men’s tournament for the first time since 1998 – and what’s more the match is at Hampden, and it’ll have a crowd in attendance.
Scotland are joined by England, Croatia and Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 group.Scotland are joined by England, Croatia and Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 group.
Scotland are joined by England, Croatia and Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 group.

The warm-up games and training camp are over, and now the real Euro 2020 action begins for the Tartan Army.

Some 12,000 fans will be in the socially distanced national stadium for the return to the big stage – the first match in 23 years at a major tournament for the national team.

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It’s been a longer wait than ever imagined – and prolonged by the pandemic which means a reduced allocation for the Tartan Army for this eagerly awaited game.

Steve Clarke is tasked with picking the first XI from his 26-man squad, which has been based in the north-east of England for the past few days, and will emulate Craig Brown, the last national manager to take Scotland to a major tournament – and indeed the last manager to be in charge of a Scotland side at the European Championships, and the last man to win a game there too.

Can the current crop re-write that record from 1996 on the first major tournament appearance since 1998?

We will find out and The Scotsman will be there at Hampden and here with you bringing you all the action and reaction as well as pre-match build-up to get you in the mood (as if you need it) via our liveblog below, which we’ll be updating throughout the big day.

Sunderland AFC transfer and contract news RECAP: Updates from the SOL

Key Events

  • Sunderland beat Accrington Stanley at the weekend.
  • The Black Cats head to Fleetwood Town this Saturday.

Hello and welcome to our live Sunderland blog, we’ll have updates throughout the day.

Sunderland ‘close in’ on new coach

Sunderland are reportedly close to appointing a new first-team coach.

Phil Jevons, an academy coach at Everton, is set to join Lee Johnson’s backroom staff, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon.

The former striker was a somewhat journeyman during his playing career having progressed through the Toffees youth set up.

Jevons featured for nine clubs in total and was teammates with Johnson at Yeovil Town and Bristol City.

The 42-year-old started working at Everton’s academy during the latter stages of his playing days – spending nine years there.

Nixon tweeted: “Sunderland. Going to bring in coach Phil Jevons from Everton to work with first team. Been at under 18 level at Goodison … now stepping up.”

The return of a familiar face

Former Sunderland owner and lifelong fan Bob Murray was spotted back at the Stadium of Light for the win over Accrington Stanley.

Murray funded the Black Cats’ move for the Roker Park to the SOL in 1997 before selling his majority shareholding to the Drumavile consortium, nine years later.

For so long, Murray was not welcome at the stadium he had built after a serious rift developed between him and Ellis Short.

He also wasn’t a fan of Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven – but there appears to be no such problem with new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

Murray was in the directors’ box following an invitation from KLD as Sunderland beat Accrington to 2-1.

Defender to miss Fleetwood Town

Tom Flanagan will next weekend’s trip to Fleetwood after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

The 29-year-old was booked during the Black Cats’ League One fixture against Accrington Stanley after a collision with visiting goalkeeper James Trafford in the second half.

Flanagan has started every league game for Sunderland this season but will now be suspended for the Fleetwood fixture.

Either Bailey Wright or West Ham loanee Frederik Alves will be expected to come into the side alongside Callum Doyle.

Ticket details for Wigan clash released

Sunderland have confirmed ticket details for the Carabao Cup third-round visit to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday 21 September (KO 7:45pm).

Here’s what the website says:

The first phase of tickets will go on sale to Season Card holders with 20+ Black Cat points at 4pm on Monday 13 September, with the phase ending at 9am on Wednesday 15 September.

Subject to availability, the second stage of sales will see tickets become available to all Season Card holders at 11am on Wednesday 15 September, with the phase ending at 12 noon on Thursday 16 September.

Any remaining available tickets will then be launched on General Sale at 2pm on Thursday 17 September, ending at 3pm on Friday 18 September, when any unsold tickets will be returned to Wigan Athletic.

Prices for all away tickets for the cup tie are as follows:

Adult - £15

Over-65 - £8

Under-22 - £8

Supporters requiring a personal assistant or wheelchair space can call the SAFC ticket office on 0371 911 1973 to make their booking.

Any further ticket announcements will be made on safc.com in due course.