Scotland's John Carver Views Injuries as Opportunity Ahead of Nations League

Scotland Faces Injury Setbacks Ahead of Key Nations League Matches

Scotland's injury woes are continuing to escalate, but assistant coach John Carver is optimistic about the prospects of players eager to make their mark on the national team. Notably, Norwich City's goalkeeper Angus Gunn has been sidelined due to an injury sustained against Hull, leaving manager Steve Clarke with a pressing concern ahead of the Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal.

Squad Changes and Call-Ups

With Gunn out of action, Kilmarnock’s uncapped Robby McCrorie has been selected after returning from his own injury sustained earlier this season.

Adding to the changes, Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie has been called up for his first international cap, filling the void left by Celtic's Greg Taylor, who is ruled out with a calf injury. Carver emphasized the importance of exposure to international football for young players. "I remember when I first came here and we talked about the more caps we get, the more experienced the squad will get," he stated.

Young Talent Rising

Carver highlighted the example of Ben Doak, noting his growth from participating in high-stakes matches against top-seeded teams. He is confident that younger players will rise to the challenge when provided with the opportunity to train and compete at such high levels.

The Road Ahead: Tackling Tough Opponents

Scotland's upcoming fixtures against Croatia and Portugal are crucial for breaking a prolonged winless streak, which currently stands at eight competitive matches—comprising five losses and three draws. Their only win in 14 matches includes a narrow victory against Gibraltar.

Looking forward, Carver acknowledged that Scotland may need to endure some difficulties in a challenging Nations League group but remained positive about their future prospects, particularly as they eye qualification for the 2026 World Cup. "There's a clear identity in how we are going to play in and out of possession. We continue with that and you'd like to think results will come," he said, reflecting confidence in the team's strategy.

Recent Performances and Potential

Despite recent setbacks, Carver believes there is much to be encouraged about, especially following commendable performances against high-ranking teams like Poland and Portugal. "Nobody expected us to perform the way we did in Lisbon. We should have got at least a draw," Carver remarked, emphasizing the team’s positive outlook.

Scotland Squad Overview

The squad for the upcoming matches includes:

• Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Jon McCracken (Dundee), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock)
• Defenders: Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Liam Lindsay (Preston North End), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Jack McKenzie (Aberdeen)
• Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Middlesbrough), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (West Ham), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls)
• Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham City), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

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