IT did not take a spectacular winning goal, a heroic last-gasp block on the goalline or a crunching Graeme Sounessesque challenge in the middle of the park to get Scotland fans chanting and celebrating in Germany this week.

The Tartan Army, delighted to be travelling to a finals in large numbers for the first time in 26 long years, were in fine voice before their planes even touched down in the country or their trains crossed the border.

The national team’s fans have drunk the bier halls in Munich dry in recent days and will enjoy Euro 2024 to the full regardless of whether their boys perform at their best and manage make history by reaching the knockout round of a major tournament.

Could, though, their spirits be crushed and their hearts broken without Scotland kicking a ball here in the coming weeks?

Seeing their dear near neighbours England do well will be soul-destroying for them and no mistake. Having to watch Harry Kane lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in the Olympiastadion in Berlin next month will be too much to bear.

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Yet, there is every chance that Gareth Southgate’s charges, who take on Serbia in their opening Group C match in the Arena AufShalke in Gelesnkirchen tomorrow evening, will be able to put 58 years of hurt behind them at Euro 2024.

England are second favourites to prevail in Germany behind France, who knocked them out of Qatar 2022 at the quarter-final stage, with bookmakers.

The 1-0 reverse they suffered at the hands of Iceland at Wembley in their final warm-up friendly, a result which saw them booed from the field by their own incensed followers, has raised fears down south that this will be another wretched campaign.

(Image: PA) But many observers, your correspondent included, believe they are best placed to prevail in Germany out of all 24 of the competing nations. They have youth and experience, physicality and guile, pace and intelligence, in every department.

Any manager who can afford to leave James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford out of his final 26 man squad clearly has talent in abundance at his disposal.

This England side is better than the one which exited the World Cup two years ago after playing France off the park in the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

It is, too, far better than the team which snatched defeat and despair from the jaws of victory and glory and lost to Italy on penalties in the European Championship final in London.

Yes, they can still be a little suspect defensively at times. Left back and goalkeeper are not their strongest positions. But when they are so dangerous going forward does it really matter?

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“England's front six is one of the best, if not the best, in world football,” said former England striker and current BBC pundit Alan Shearer. “Some of the players and the talent we have will be a threat for anyone.”

Jude Bellingham, who helped Real Madrid to win their 15th Champions League title at the start of this month to cap a memorable debut season in Spain, is still just 20. But he is well on his way to becoming the best player on the planet. He is, though, not the only one who will terrorise defences here.

His skipper Kane was on target on no fewer than 49 occasions for club and country in the 2023/24 season and is arguably the most lethal predator in the global game. The Bayern Munich forward is now 30 and will be determined to lay his hands on some silverware for the first time in his career in Germany. And, at the same time, make amends for that penalty miss at Qatar 2022.

(Image: PA) Throw Phil Foden of Manchester City, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa into the mix and you have a veritable embarrassment of riches in advanced areas. Southgate, who has been in his position for eight years now, will know exactly how to get the very best out of all of them.

The 53-year-old revealed that he had supported Scotland at the World Cup in Argentina in 1978 when his side played at Hampden back in March so he will not be guilty of overpromising.    

Joe Hart, the former Celtic goalkeeper who went to two World Cup and two European Championship finals during his playing days, is not prone to making rash predictions either. But he senses his compatriots are, finally, poised to deliver.

“It’s England’s time,” he said. “Since the 2018 World Cup they have been really growing into tournament football and learning what it takes. They've got some players at a real world level, who are performing regularly and know what it takes to win huge competitions.”

England are in a tough group with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. But they made light work of a qualifying section which included Italy, who they beat home and away, and Ukraine and should make the last 16 with ease. Going one better than three years ago thereafter will be tougher.

But you would need to be an overly intoxicated Tartan Army footsoldier who has been sitting out in the German sun for too long to rule out their chances of being crowned Euro 2024 champions on July 14.