Tino Livramento to Scotland already has an answer

Escalating clamour over Tino Livramento starring for Scotland at Euro 2024 has exploded in the past 24 hours amid his absence for Newcastle United during their trip Down Under.

The 21-year-old – eligible for both Scotland and England – would be a coup for Steve Clarke due to his ability to play both right and left-back. And it’s the former which is needed for our national team with Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey already out of the summer blockbuster in Germany.

Livramento has long been mooted to turn out in dark blue since his Southampton days but has exclusively played for the Three Lions at all age ranges up to U21s. But hopes are set to be dashed that he is in line to answer a Scotland SOS despite not being in Australia for Newcastle’s glamour friendly with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.

And it’s due to a persistent ankle injury which has dogged the rampaging full-back in recent months. He missed weeks with a complaint and it returned following the 1-1 draw with Brighton. Eddie Howe admitted he was putting the defender in cold storage for the final two games against Brentford and Manchester United.

And the fizzling rumours comes on the day Clarke will name a provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024. But his chief lieutenant John Carver has warned not to expect too many surprises. Speaking ahead of the big reveal, Carver said: “I don’t think there is going to be any surprises. I would be very surprised if there is a surprise if that makes sense.

“But we have got a group of about 40 players that we have been looking at and obviously all the staff, but particularly Steve and myself, have been out watching games, keeping our fingers crossed, hoping that players come through without any injuries.”