Carver’s glass is calf full
Celebration injury can’t keep John down
Scotland’s players ended 22 years of agony by reaching the Euro finals after a penalty shoot-out in Serbia.
For coach John Carver the pain was only just beginning after he ruptured his calf muscle during the celebrations.
Despite that, the Geordie, can’t hide his excitement at the prospect of being an Englishman on Scotland’s bench at Wembley for the
Euro 2020 clash in June.
Carver ended up on crutches while the players were in party mode in their Belgrade hotel but now, back home in Newcast le, the 55-year- old couldn’t care less.
Steve Clarke’s No. 2 said: “Stevie Woods ( goalie coach) tripped me then Steven Reid jumped on my back in celebration and the rest is history!
“I ended up watching everybody celebrating from a distance, which was great, but I was left in complete agony.
“They were great scenes. To see them celebrate was amazing, I was so proud of everybody.
“I knew Aleksandar Mitrovic would miss the penalty.
“I knew a bit about him from my time at Newcastle and I sat next to Woodsy on the plane over.
“The goalkeepers have a secret system and I just knew where he was going. If it was a straight run-up, he was going to the keeper’s left.
“We had gone through the pain of conceding a goal in the last minute, the pain of extra-time, then penalties and I suffered the pain afterwards!
“We all suffered on the night but it was worth it.
“I ended up on crutches but that was more of a precaution. There were a few complications because we were away from home and then had flights
We the all s uffer wor nigh t ed o thit. but n it grea t They was was scen were so es and prou I usall dof
to Slovakia and Israel before getting back to Edinburgh.
“A couple of things went wrong with my calf but I’m fine now. The work starts again right away, watching Scottish lads in games.”
The euphoria of Serbia was tempered by Nations League defeats which ended our hopes of a World Cup play-off safety net.
Carver insists it was difficult for the players to try to lift themselves again after the effort they put in to cl inch our Euro finals spot. He said: “After the emotions they went through in Serbia, it was going to be difficult.
“When Liverpool won the Premier League they lost their next l e a g ue game 4- 0 at Manchester City.
“The emotions do take their toll but the players did everything to try to win in Slovakia and Israel. They had the same attitude and commitment and their energy levels were amazing.
“Yes, there was a bit of a comedown af ter Serbia but these boys are professional and did what was asked of them.
“They’ve set a high standard which t he y must maintain. We need CARVER
Scotland to be competing at major tournaments and this squad is good enough to do that.”
Clarke’s boys have the Euros to look forward to – two games at Hampden against Czech Republic and Croatia as well as the big one at Wembley on June 18.
Carver is a proud Englishman but there will be no doubt where his allegiances lie that day.
He said: “Everyone is together with Scotland and we have to build on this. It should be happening every two years.
“I’ve watched all the celebration videos. I’ve had calls from Steve Nicol in America, Steven Caldwell in Canada, Mo Johnston in Florida, Ally McCoist – you name it.
“I’m proud to be English but I’ll be a proud Scotsman that night because of the way the people have made me feel part of things here.”