Gary Lineker’s six-word Scotland comment comes back to bite after Euro 2024 exit

Gary Lineker’s bold prediction that Scotland would sail into the Euro 2024 knockout stages was left in tatters after a gut-wrenching defeat to Hungary.

The Tartan Army’s dreams were dashed in the cruellest of ways when Hungary’s Kevin Csoboth netted a dramatic 100th-minute goal on Sunday, condemning Scotland to finish at the bottom of Group A and bow out of Euro 2024, reports the Mirror.

Scotland’s curse at major tournaments continues, with this being their 12th failed attempt to make it past the group stage. Despite the odds, Lineker, alongside Micah Richards had high hopes for the Scots, tipping them to defy expectations on The Rest is Football podcast before the tournament kicked off in Germany.

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Discussing Scotland’s prospects, Richards confidently stated: “In terms of qualifying they were really good, they go defensive when they need to [and] counter-attack when they need to. They’ve got some good individual players so I think it will be difficult for them to get out of the group but something tells me they’ve just got enough team spirit to maybe get out of that group.”

Lineker echoed his co-host’s sentiments, saying: “I think Scotland will get through, I think it might be in third but that still counts as going through.” Meanwhile, Alan Shearer wasn’t convinced, instead backing Switzerland to advance to the last 16 alongside Germany.

Steve Clarke’s side needed a result for any chance to progress to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams while being reliant on results elsewhere.

There was a long stoppage in play during the game when Hungary’s Barnabas Varga was involved in a sickening collision with Angus Gunn. Varga was taken straight to hospital after the incident but the Hungarian Football Federation have since confirmed that he is now in a stable condition.

A statement read: “Barnabas Varga’s condition is stable. The Ferencvaros player is currently in one of the hospitals in Stuttgart. We will inform you immediately if there is any news about his status.”

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