MX23RW : Sunday, February 2 06:02:47| >> :600:4299259:4299259:

Scotland to use Middlesbrough's training ground for Euro 2020

Scotland to use Middlesbrough's training ground for Euro 2020
© Reuters
Their usual training centre near Edinburgh has already been booked by the Czech Republic.

Scotland will base themselves at Middlesbrough's training complex during Euro 2020.

Scotland host Czech Republic and Croatia at Hampden either side of a Wembley clash with England, but their usual Oriam training centre near Edinburgh was booked by the Czechs before Steve Clarke's side qualified via the play-offs.

Clarke's squad will first have a warm-weather training camp in La Finca, Spain, from May 27 before returning to the UK after taking on Luxembourg away in their second warm-up game on June 6. They also face Holland in Portugal on June 2.

Scotland will stay at Rockliffe Hall near Darlington in County Durham and train at Middlesbrough's adjacent training facilities at Hurworth.

Clarke said: "The most important aspect for me is that we give the players the best possible conditions to perform at Euro 2020: that includes the best possible training facilities available and making sure that travel plans are as efficient as they can be for the matches.

"Rockliffe Park enables us to achieve all of that while also allowing the players to focus completely on doing the best they can without any distractions.

"Playing Netherlands and Luxembourg beforehand allows us to prepare with two different styles of opposition."

Clarke added: "For the players, this will have been one of the most intense seasons in their careers.

"Matches have been played behind closed doors and an already congested calendar has meant many – not least those whose clubs have enjoyed prolonged spells in European competition – will have played three games a week over many months.

"When the domestic season ends there will be a mental and physical deficit to overcome in a short period of time and that's why La Finca will be so important, in part due to the unpredictability of the weather in Scotland but also the close proximity of La Finca to the two matches we are obliged to play."

ID:444649: cacheID:444649:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2992:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths pictured in September 2020
Read Next:
Kennedy: 'Griffiths could feature for Scotland at Euro 2020'
>
Read more about Steve Clarke Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Everton236892328-526
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!