The European Football Cup tournament kicked off with a bang as the host nation Germany faced off against Scotland in the opening match. Despite being a highly anticipated game, the TV ratings for the match were less than stellar. With an average of 5.8 million viewers and a peak of 9.8 million, the numbers fell short in comparison to previous Euro tournaments. The UK’s main broadcasters, ITV and BBC, shared the coverage of the month-long competition, with ITV broadcasting the opening match. This was a significant increase from the last Euros, where the BBC’s coverage of Turkey vs Italy drew an average audience of 5.2 million with a peak of 6.9 million.
The Scottish football fanbase, known for its passion and loyalty, was left disappointed with ITV’s coverage of the match. Many fans took to social media to express their frustration, feeling that the pre-match buildup focused too much on England rather than Scotland. The inclusion of an interview with England manager Gareth Southgate only added fuel to the fire, sparking outrage among Scottish supporters. Former Scottish players, Tony Watt and Lee Mair, were among those who criticized the broadcasters, calling the coverage a “shambles” and urging them to “get a grip.” The Tartan Army, Scotland’s most dedicated fans, who had traveled far and wide to support their team, felt let down by the lack of attention given to Scotland in the coverage.
The disappointment extended beyond the fans, with Scotland manager Steve Clarke and former player turned pundit Roy Keane facing criticism for the team’s performance. Clarke was caught on camera having a heated exchange with an assistant coach during the match, reflecting the frustration and pressure of the moment. Keane, known for his blunt and outspoken opinions, did not hold back in his assessment of Scotland’s efforts. He criticized the team for playing poorly and failing to make history in a positive way, stating that they had let down both their manager and supporters. The harsh words from Keane echoed the sentiment of many who had high hopes for Scotland in the tournament.
As the European Football Cup tournament continues for another four weeks, Scotland faces an uphill battle to redeem themselves after a disappointing start. With the weight of expectations and the passion of their fans behind them, the team will need to regroup and refocus in order to make their mark on the tournament. The road ahead will be challenging, but for Scotland, the opportunity to make amends and show their true potential still remains. It is now up to the players and coaching staff to rise to the occasion and prove their critics wrong. The coming weeks will test the resilience and determination of the Scottish team as they strive to turn their fortunes around and make their mark on the European football stage.