The one thing Scotland can do that will have Germany boo boys eating up their own heroes

Germany legend Dietmar Hamann insists Jurgen Nagelsmann’s side must be ahead by half-time against Scotland if they want to avoid their opening night party going flat.

The 59-times capped midfielder claims nerves could get the better of the hosts against a Scotland team he holds as dark horses in Euro 2024 Group A. Hamman questioned veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s form and how many players Nagelsmann can hang his hat on to perform under pressure when the curtain goes up on the Euros in the Allianz Arena. And the 2002 World Cup runner-up says it would be foolish to write off Steve Clarke’s troops.

Speaking to In The Zone podcast Hamann said: “The Scots won't go down without a fight. When Germany go on the pitch on Friday, we have to come off at halftime with at least one goal or more than the Scots. “I don't think it'll be a straightforward game. I know Scotland have got a few injury worries, especially with the big man up top, Lyndon Dykes, he's out.

“But nerves will come into it. We've got Manuel Neuer in goal, who's obviously fighting for his position at the moment. But you need players where you can rely on, who are going to perform. And at the moment, I'm not too sure how many we've got, Toni Kroos and that’s it. Germany could win the game 5-0, but I'd be very surprised.

“I think it'll be a very, very tight game on Friday. If things don't go well in the first half hour against the Scots on Friday, the 70,000 fans who are there to push you on will start whistling after 40 minutes, and that can be something that goes against us as the home team.”

Meanwhile the former Liverpool and Manchester City ace has pinpointed Scotland’s main threats as he told Nagelsmann’s men not to underestimate the opening game. And he says Germany must avoid the off-field drama that blew apart their 2022 World Cup bid if they want to succeed on home soil.

Speaking to Prime Casino he added: “It would be incredibly foolish to write Scotland off. They have some excellent players in Andy Robertson, John McGinn. Scott McTominay always does it in a Scotland shirt. This is a great opportunity for Scotland to show the world just how much they have improved as a footballing nation over the last few years.

“The opening game will be a big test for this group. The expectation is high and, in many ways, it’s a bit of a free hit for Scotland.

“Everyone will expect the host nation to beat them convincingly, but it won’t be that simple. Scotland are a good team, and they will make it as difficult as possible for Germany.

“It’s important that there is a little bit of tension in the group when they stand in that tunnel before the match kick-off. It’s not nerves, you don’t want that because that is a negative energy. Use the tension to focus your minds and get the job done.

“At the World Cup, there were too many issues off the pitch that had a major impact on the squad. The rainbow armband and the fall-out from that, it was just too much of a distraction and I think it split the team.

“At the World Cup, we had a divided team. If you're not united, if you haven't got 26 players and staff all pulling in the same direction, you won't go anywhere. So that is a major difference going into this tournament.

"Have we learned anything from that World Cup experience? We'll find out. We've got an okay group. On paper, I think this group might look a bit easier than it actually is.

“All three games are potential banana skins for Germany. I don’t think there are any easy games in this group. Germany should go through, but I think it'll be a fight against all three teams.”