Steve Clarke urges Scots to seize the day against Hungary and insists they have learned lessons from past failure

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Steve Clarke insists Scotland won’t repeat the mistakes which killed their Euro 2020 dream when they face Hungary in tonight’s must-win game in Stuttgart.

Before their final fixture against Croatia at Hampden three years ago, the Scots needed a win to reach the last 16 for the first time ever.

Outclassed by a Luka Modric midfield masterclass, Clarke believes his side have learned from a humbling experience and now feel ready to make history rather than repeat it.

‘We feel good,’ said the Scotland boss. ‘We thought it might come down to needing to get something from the last game of the group. That’s the stage we are at and we have been in this position before in the last tournament.

‘They have a helluva lot more experience now. That is one of the things we set out to do. We said if we can become, if not serial qualifiers, but if we can qualify more regularly for these tournaments, you understand what you are doing. I think we have done a lot of things right this time that maybe we didn’t get quite right the last time.

‘Hopefully, when we get to the last game, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. That’s what we are after.’

Steve Clarke was in jovial mood as he faced the press one last time before the must-win match

Clarke chats with his players as a plan of action is put in place to try to make the country proud

The Scots go through their final training session at their German base ahead of Hungary clash

The Scots bounced back from a nightmare 5-1 defeat to Germany in the tournament opener to secure a valuable point against Switzerland in Cologne in their second game.

Clarke set a target of four points from the games against the Swiss and Hungary before the tournament started and believes his players are well placed to become the first Scotland side ever to reach the knockout stages of an international tournament in a tale of woe stretching all the way back to 1954.

‘It’s nothing except the three points for us, that’s all we are thinking,’ said Clarke. ‘I don’t think there is any other scenario in the group. We need to get three points to get third in the group and then we will see where that takes us in the competition.

‘We’ve had a lot of recovery, a lot of rest, hopefully some good information for the players. We had a really good training session this morning with really good information for them.

‘When they cross the white line they have to put that information into practice on the pitch and hopefully you see the results at the end.’

Pointless after back-to-back defeats to Switzerland and Germany, Marco Rossi’s Hungary have vowed to come out swinging in the quest to force their way into the second round as one of the best third-place qualifiers.

Steve Clarke disembarks the team coach after arriving in Stuttgart for final preparations

‘When you look at their record over the last few years, they have been building towards this,’ added Clarke.

‘They are a good team, well organised. Good discipline without the ball and a good threat with the ball.

‘We expect a difficult game and I’m sure the Hungarians are also expecting a difficult game from us. It’s two similar teams, two similar line-ups, two similar systems — and hopefully our system is slightly better than theirs.’

Scotland midfielder John McGinn has a foot in both camps, with two of his cousins half-Hungarian.

‘When the draw was made, my Uncle Joe and cousins Mark and Tomas were in touch,’ said McGinn. ‘They were born in Scotland but are half-Hungarian.

‘One wants Scotland to win, one wants Hungary. My Uncle Joe told me that this morning. I hope young Tomas is sad on Monday!

John McGinn and Ryan Christie shake on it during an upbeat Scotland training session

‘For them, going to school every day, it’s nice for them to share the surname. I’m not sure their pals believe who their cousin is!

‘They were over for the Liverpool game on the last day of the season and were more interested in Dominik Szoboszlai than their big cousin.’

A goalscoring talisman for Scotland for so long, McGinn’s last goal from open play was 13 games ago in the opening qualifying match for Euro 2024 against Cyprus.

Admitting he has dipped below his own high standards in a Scotland shirt of late, the Aston Villa captain would love to add to his tally of 18 goals in dark blue in the MHP Arena.

‘A lot of us still have a lot to give. I’ve not been involved as much offensively as I’d hope. It would mean everything to score here. I’m aware that it’s been a while since I got one for Scotland.

McGinn discussed his family's Hungarian connection and how he plans to upset his cousin

‘Before this, I had been used to being on a run of goals but big Scotty (McTominay) has taken the mantle, which I’m delighted about.

‘Mind you, I need to get a shot on goal first! It’s about me keeping making the runs, making the same movement, and it would absolutely mean the world to get a goal.

‘We all know the magnitude of the occasion. We have the chance to write our name into the history books. We all want to be the hero and if it’s me I’ll take one off the shin into the bottom corner to make it happen.’