Kris Boyd says Scotland have advantage as pressure on hosts Germany in Euro 2024 opener

The two sides kick off the continental showpiece in the Allianz Arena, with the host nation hot favourites to get off to a winning start.

But former Scotland striker Boyd feels Steve Clarke's side are playing the Germans at the right time and are equipped to grind out a result.

"The pressure will be on Germany in every game they play," said Boyd, speaking on behalf of Genting Casinos. "Whether they've come up short previously or not, they'll always fancy themselves.

"It'll be difficult for Scotland but they'll have the Tartan Army behind them.

"The opening game of the Euros on home soil, there'll definitely be more anticipation that the Germans will rock up and roll over Scotland.

"Everyone outside of the team will think that but the squad will be focused on the job at hand. Scotland can cause Germany problems.

"We'd much rather play them first than the third game when they may need a result to go through.

"I can see this game being a draw. It'll be very difficult but being optimistic, hopefully we can pick up a point which will be a fantastic start to the campaign."

Switzerland and Hungary are the other two teams in Group A, with Scotland deemed as the outsiders of the four, but Boyd is adamant they can find a way through to the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

"I don't see why Scotland can't advance past the group stages," he said.

"Even with all the injuries, we've still got the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay, this is still a large part of a squad that has been able to fire us to back-to-back European Championships.

"The togetherness of this group is there, they understand each other's game and because of that, I can't see why Scotland won't reach the knockout stages.

"It's easy to see why Scotland are the underdogs, because they are. We're not written off unfairly, we're underdogs in everything we go for.

"It'll be difficult, but all three teams in our group won't be looking forward to facing Scotland because they know we have an unmatched team ethic and work ethic. We will run through brick walls for each other."

Boyd believes "tireless" striker Che Adams will have to play a big part if Scotland are to thrive in Germany.

"The whole team will go under the radar, Scotland's strength is the team," said the 40-year-old. "If I had to single one player out, Che Adams can bring something to the side that not many others can.

"He'll work his socks off, he's tireless and that'll create space for the likes of McTominay and McGinn. His play style will help the team succeed but the real strength of the team is their togetherness."