THE HAND OF SQUAD
Clarke has such rich pickings now Robbo might struggle to get start
John Carver has hailed Scotland’s new-found strength in depth – and reckons even skipper Andy Robertson now has to fight for his place.
Steve Clarke’s No. 2 was delighted Scotland won their Nations League group thanks to a four points against Ukraine and a victory over Republic of Ireland.
That gives us a Euro 2024 play- off spot if we need it and, crucially, a Pot Two berth for the qualifying draw.
But Carver insists the best thing about Scotland’s recent camp was the emergence of more quality young players.
With injury, i llness and suspension depriving Clarke of 16 bodies – including Robertson – over the course of the international break, fringe stars such as Jack Hendry, Greg Taylor, Aaron Hickey and Ryan Porteous stepped in.
And the assistant coach believes the manager will have a headache trying to pick his next squad for a friendly in November.
Carver said: “The biggest thing that came out of that get-together was the fact we’ve developed a group with proper depth.
“Everyone was looking at Porteous and Hickey, for example, but they’ve come in and grown.
“Steve is going to have huge problems picking his next squad.
“Not so long ago we had Stephen O’Donnell as our only right-back. Now he can’t get in the squad.
“He’s been a fantastic servant but was the only right-back we had. Suddenly these young lads have come in and played well.
“That can only be good for the national team.
“If a young player is good enough then Stevie will give them an opportunity. He has proved that now.
“Porteous is an example. We had Declan Gallagher there for the Ukraine game who has a number of caps already.
“It would have been easy to stick Declan in but Steve wanted to give young Ryan a chance and he grabbed it with both hands.
“We’re developing young players who are getting better.
“That’s making it harder for guys who are getting on in years to be involved.
“Our captain wasn’t there last week because of injury. He’s got to fight to get back in now.
“That’s how it should be and he will because he’s a competitor.
“It’s a great problem for Steve to have – I’m looking forward to seeing his next squad!” Scotland will move up to Nations League
A when the competition restarts and could face the likes of Germany, France, Holland or Spain home and away.
Car ver bel ieves testing ourselves against the best in Europe wi l l only make the talented young players in Clarke’s squad even better.
He said: “In my first training session with Scotland I knew we had a great group of lads.
“But the quality has improved so much – and pretty quickly.
“That’s not being disrespectful to the lads who were in there.
They did a good job and got us to a level where we could compete.
“But if you stand still you disappear. We had to improve and that’s what has happened.
“People are asking why Scotland is getting excited about the Nations League.
“But it guarantees us a play-off spot if we need it. And we’re now playing in the top division.
“These young players wi l l develop quicker and faster playing against top players.
“We’ l l have full houses at Hampden again for the next Nations League campaign. We’re not getting carried away. But we’ve achieved the goal we set out at the start.”
The 0- 0 draw against Ukraine in Warsaw to get us over the line on Tuesday night was Clarke’s 40th game in charge of the national side.
He’s still 31 short of the 70 Craig Brown racked up to become our longest-serving gaffer.
Clarke could well overtake him with Euro 2024, Nations League and World Cup campaigns on the horizon.
But right- hand man Carver claims all that matters to the manager is making Scotland the best we can be.
He said: “Steve might not come across as being happy but, deep inside, he’s a proud man.
“He’s delighted at how this team is going. But he won’t rest, he’s always striving for perfection.
“He always wants more and is constantly thinking outside the box to get it.
“He’ll enjoy the next few weeks but we’re going to Leicester v Forest tomorrow night.
“Steve won’t be thinking about being Scotland’s longest-serving manager.
“I know he’d be proud of it, as would his family. But all he’ll be thinking about is this team.
“He puts them out there. But he knows it’s the players who have stepped up to the plate under massive pressure.”