Scotland’s injury problems are continuing to mount, but assistant boss John Carver says there are players ready to stake their claim. Angus Gunn has been ruled out of this month’s Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal after the Norwich goalkeeper suffered an injury against Hull. It is a position that is a headache for manager Steve Clarke but Kilmarnock’s uncapped Robby McCrorie has been given the nod after returning from injury against Dundee at the weekend.
Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie has been called up for the first time to replace Celtic’s Greg Taylor, who misses out with a calf injury. Carver emphasized the importance of young players in Scotland realizing that opportunities are available for them to showcase their talent at the national level.
Scotland is looking to end their longest winless run in the nation’s history, with upcoming games against Croatia and Portugal. Carver believes that despite the tough Nations League group, there is a bright future ahead for the national team, especially as they aim to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Carver highlighted the team’s clear identity in how they play both in and out of possession, and expressed optimism that results will come as they continue to work towards their goals. Despite recent defeats, Carver mentioned the encouraging performances against Poland and Portugal, indicating that the team is capable of competing at a high level.