Unflashy Forrest is backing Scots to strut their stuff when it really matters as he laughs off Kounde comparisons

IF EURO 2024 was a fashion parade, France would strut confidently up the catwalk in designer togs, blowing the opposition away with their je ne sais quoi. Scotland, not for the first time, would be home on the first flight.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde raised eyebrows with his ostentatious entrance to the French pre-tournament training camp at Clairefontaine clad in a shirt, tie, flared designer denims and a pair of Cuban-heeled boots while clutching a Louis Vuitton man bag.

In contrast, Celtic winger James Forrest pitched up at Scotland’s Glasgow HQ clutching a humble black bin bag under his arm while defensive team-mate Kieran Tierney brandished a couple of supermarket carrier bags. The only thing missing was half a dozen cans of Tennent’s under the other arm.

‘A few folk sent that to me and had said about the French boys all turning up in their designer gear,’ grins Forrest. ‘It was just all my boots that were in there, it was easier to carry them in that.

‘When you see the photo of the French boys coming in next to me and KT’s, it’s quite a Scottish photo, isn’t it?

‘We’ve got no airs and graces, and I think me and KT are probably similar like that with our backgrounds. Nothing has really changed for us.’

Comical in their different ways, the two images could serve as the perfect metaphor for the likely fortunes of the two nations in Germany. Vying with England for the label of pre-tournament favourites, France stuck 14 goals past Gibraltar in a Euro qualifier in November. On Monday night, Scotland were underwhelming in a laboured 2-0 win over a nation that sits 203rd in the FIFA rankings.

While the Scots were relieved to end a winless run extending to seven games, it was hard to rake up too many positives in a warm-up friendly against the second worst national team in Europe. Ross McCrorie was handed his senior debut at right-back and Grant Hanley stored another 45 minutes in his legs, but Gibraltar failed to muster a touch of the ball in Scotland’s 18-yard box and keeper Zander Clark touched the ball just 12 times.

As a preparation for facing Germany in the Allianz Arena, it was as useful as a rowing boat in the Sahara.

Northern Ireland and Gibraltar have exposed the difficulties Clarke’s team have in overcoming a defensive low block. Mercifully, Germany, Switzerland and Hungary won’t be parking any buses on the 18-yard line and, for that at least, the Scots can be grateful.

A sticky night in Portugal offered a sobering reminder of how threadbare Steve Clarke’s options are in attack. Despite a 31-goal season with Hearts, Lawrence Shankland has yet to show signs of translating that form to the international game.

Clarke spoke after the game of reviewing the striker’s positioning in the box for set-pieces, but the point seems moot in any case. Coming on as a second-half substitute, Che Adams cemented his position as first-choice centre-forward by volleying a John McGinn cross into the net to give the scoreline a more respectable sheen.

There should be no over-reaction to a meaningless, glorified pre-season friendly. Only three of the players who started against Gibraltar — Andrew Robertson, Grant Hanley and John McGinn — are likely to start against a Germany side which ground out a 0-0 draw with Ukraine the other night.

Replicating competitive match conditions in a pre-tournament friendly in a near-empty stadium is a challenge Scotland won’t face in Munich and the closer the game comes, the more tense and nervous players become.

A strong result and performance against Finland at Hampden on Friday night would help to relax a group of who spent the 90 minutes in Faro playing as if they were negotiating hot coals in bare naked feet.

Spooked by the loss of Lyndon Dykes with a training ground injury, Clarke then saw Leeds defender Liam Cooper take a bang to the knee and limp off 12 minutes from time. Everywhere they look, Scotland players face constant, unwelcome reminders of how easily hopes of flying to Germany can slip from their grasp.

The opportunity to play at the Euros is all the sweeter for Forrest because it’s unexpected. A late run of form at Celtic earned the veteran winger his first cap call in three years. Out in the cold at Parkhead early in the year, he had more chance of performing at Eurovision than he did of taking the stage at Euro 2024. Barring any late mishaps, he’s certain to board the flight to Munich on Sunday and plans to embrace his second chance.

‘I met up with the boys on the first day and it was like I’d never been away,’ said Forrest. ‘I’ve known all the boys for years, so I was looking forward to getting back training and just being among them all.

‘Everyone is on a real high and I think when you come in you feel that as well. I just want to enjoy every moment that I’m here.’