Pain in Belgrade was worth it and confirmed coach as Maccarver!
He was born in Newcastle-upon-tyne, yet John Carver insists that when he goes to Wembley next summer, it will be as a proud Scotsman!
Appointed to Steve Clarke’s coaching team at the end of August following the departure of Alex Dyer, the 55- year- old has had a dramatic introduction to the international scene.
He tore his calf in the pile- on of coaches that followed the country’s clinching of a place in the Euros, and was in agony as he watched the on-field celebrations.
However, that has done nothing to dampen his enthusiasm for his new adopted homeland, and the excitement which lies ahead in 2021.
For Scotland’s first appearance at a major Finals in what will be 23 years, the Tartan Army can look forward to Hampden visits from the Czech Republic and Croatia, plus a mouthwatering clash with the Auld Enemy in London.
“What a crazy situation,” said Carver with a laugh.
“If someone had told me a few months ago that, in 2021, I would be going to the Euros as a coach after all these years, I would have thought they had spent too long sitting at the bar with me!
“Listen, everyone talks about me being English.
“I am, and I am proud to be English. “But I am a proud Scotsman now, and when we take on England, I want to be a proud Scotsman from England! “People have to believe that.
“When Steve Clarke asked me to come up and help, I couldn’t get here quick enough.
“Look at Terry Butcher. He was England captain, but he became Scotland assistant manager ( to George Burley) and did a good job.
“So I am following in his footsteps, which is quite something.
“Going to Wembley will be different for me, certainly, but this is why we want to be in football – for huge games like this.
“I have lots of English friends, and England is their team.
“On the night we go there, they will support England. But any other time, they have now become converted Scotland fans, which is great.”
“But all my focus will be on helping Scotland get a result.
“I have been at Wembley as a coach. I was there for the FA Cup Final with Newcastle United against Manchester United when Ruud Gullit was the manager in 1999, and we had a semi- final with Sir Bobby Robson that we lost against Chelsea 2-1 the following year. “So I know that it is not a nice place to lose a big occasion, and you have to sit there watching the winning team celebrate.”
And should Scotland pull off a shock and win in London, Carver says the agony he experienced in Serbia will help ensure he does not get injured again.
He also gave a bit of insight into David Marshall’s dramatic penalty save.
“I sat next to Stevie Woods on the plane, and I was actually just watching Aleksandar Mitrovic’s penalties out of the corner of my eye,” he said.
“The goalkeepers have got a secret system – which I won’t go into – but the work and preparation that was done prior to the game is amazing.
“So I actually knew where it was going – that if I saw a straight run up, he was putting it on his right- hand side and the goalkeeper’s left.
“I just focused. The fourth official had said to us not to celebrate until we had confirmation from VAR – but how can you not celebrate something like that?
“So I took off, but Woodsie tripped me and then Steven Reid jumped on my back. The rest is history.
“I ended up in agony, lying watching everybody celebrating and they were great scenes.
“To see people who have been with Scotland for so many years – and gone through all the pain and all the torture – celebrate was amazing. I was so proud of everybody.
“We all suffered on the night with the late equaliser, and I suffered at the end.
“But it was well worth it – especially as I am all sorted now.”