CARVER: NEW BOYS WILL BE READY TO GO
JOHN CARVER insists new boys Dominic Hyam and Angus Gunn would be trusted to go straight into Scotland’s Euro 2024 opener against Cyprus.
Steve Clarke has called Blackburn stopper Hyam into his squad for a first time. He replaces injured Jack Hendry with Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston also added.
Gunn is also in Clarke’s unit for a first time but No.2 Carver insists both can be called upon immediately.
He said: “Look at how many times Steve has brought in players and used players. I remember when I first came here and Steve kept saying it’s all about the squad.
“In my first squad, we used almost every player as we had three games and he is not scared to give an opportunity.
“You have to trust people. If not, what is the use in bringing these guys in, you have to trust them and Steve does when they come in. And they trust him for that reason.
“How many times has this happened recently? I’ll give Ryan Porteous as an example.
“Ryan was always on the fringes and we threw him in. All of a sudden everyone said: ‘Oh that’s not bad!’ Same with Jack Hendry.
“When Steve calls somebody up, he’s confident in their ability and he trusts them.”
Hyam has been capped at Under-21 level and has been a strong performer at Rovers this term. Carver said: “He’s playing in a confident team who are fifth in the Championship and just lost out in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
“A player who has come through the system, we know all about him and I think Steve was at the game at the weekend against Sheffield United.
“He plays left-sided centre-back but we know he can play in the middle as well. He’s got experience, he’s playing with confidence.
“There is no reason he can’t come in and fit in like the other guys have done. He seems to have the right personality, that does help.”
Norwich keeper Gunn is also settling well into the group and Carver added: “He’s playing in a side with two other internationals [Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean] we know well.
“We’ve watched him quite a bit. He’s in a good side, a side that tries to play the way we try to play, which is good. He is playing with confidence, he believes in his ability and we believe in him.
“Steve and Woodsy will have a conversation about goalkeepers. But Steve will make the right decision on who will be No.1 choice by the end of the week.”