Scotland's front pages: FM accused of 'pandering' to Sturgeon, Steve Clarke's history boys celebrated

Scotland's newspapers on Tuesday offered a divided front page — with political friction over the First Minister's perceived deference to her predecessor dominating alongside celebrations of the men's national football team's historic European Championship qualification.

The Herald leads with claims that the First Minister is "pandering" to Nicola Sturgeon, reflecting growing unease within the SNP over the former leader's continued influence. Critics argue the current FM is too cautious in distancing herself from policies that proved unpopular during Sturgeon's tenure.

The Scotsman meanwhile focuses on Steve Clarke's squad, dubbing them "history boys" after they secured Scotland's spot at Euro 2024 — the nation's first major tournament appearance in 26 years. The paper hails the team's resilience and unity under Clarke's stewardship.

Daily Record highlights public reaction to the football success, with fans pouring onto the streets of Glasgow in celebration. The Scottish Sun takes a lighter tone, featuring player interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. The Daily Mail and Scottish Daily Express both weigh in on the political angle, with the Mail calling the FM's stance "tone-deaf" amid cost-of-living pressures.

The Times and The Telegraph provide broader UK context, linking the SNP internal rift to potential electoral consequences. The National, the pro-independence paper, defends the FM's approach, arguing continuity is necessary for party stability.

Other regional dailies — The Courier, The P&J (Press and Journal), Glasgow Times, and Edinburgh News — carry variations of these themes, reflecting the local impact of both political developments and football fever.