Scotland: Billy Gilmour set for key role in do-or-die Euro 2024 clash

After suffering opening-night stage fright, it is do-or-die for Scotland.

Steve Clarke's men must get something against Switzerland in Cologne tonight to keep alive their chances of reaching the knockout stage, and captain Andy Robertson says they have to shake the "fear" that consumed them in their 5-1 collapse against Germany.

"Maybe the occasion got to a couple of us," said the Liverpool left-back. "You saw in the qualifiers, we were full of belief, trust, we were going for every ball. Maybe on Friday we played with a little fear, and that has to change.

"We know, and the whole country knows, we should have done better. We want to show this tournament what Scotland are about."

After shipping five goals against Germany and 21 goals in their previous nine matches before the Euros, Scotland know what they need to do if they are to get anything tonight.

They will also need to keep the ball better. Manager Clarke admitted his side "couldn't get a foothold" after just 27 per cent possession and no shots on target against the tournament hosts.

Former Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour should help Scotland address that problem. Clarke was criticised for not starting Gilmour on Friday, but he is set to be recalled tonight and should help Scotland relieve some pressure by keeping possession.

In the Premier League last season, only five midfielders had a better pass completion rate. He modelled his game on Andres Iniesta and looked assured during 24 league starts for Brighton last season.

Gilmour is more composed on the ball than the workmanlike Callum McGregor, who drew criticism from Graeme Souness after the Germany game. Gilmour and Manchester United's Scott McTominay will have a big job in thwarting Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler in the middle of the park.

Hungary gave Xhaka far too much room on Saturday and paid the price in a 3-1 defeat.

Lone Scotland striker Che Adams was isolated for long periods against Germany. Up against Fabian Schar and Manuel Akanji tonight, that risks repeating itself unless Scotland play more patiently and are less direct.

The concern for Scotland is that Switzerland looked impressive in their win over Hungary.

"We have to get back to being ourselves," added Robertson. "We haven't been ourselves — well, we weren't on Friday. We have to remember what we were good at before. We have to get back to trusting ourselves."

It is a big night for Clarke, who admitted he could have "clouded the players" with "too much information" for the Germany game and is under scrutiny.

"We thought we were prepared for Germany," he said. "Obviously we weren't, so this time we don't want to say too much and hopefully our actions on the pitch will show that we have prepared well. A positive result would be lovely."

Having a technician like Gilmour back in the team should help their chances of achieving that and avoiding an early exit.