Scotland’s aim to ‘survive’ in new Nations League group – John Carver

Scotland assistant coach John Carver believes missing out on progressing from the group stage at Euro 2024, which would have been a first for the nation, has to motivate the team in their Nations League campaign.

The Scots face Poland (home) and Portugal (away) over the next week and will also take on Croatia in League A Group 1.

“It’s a new start today because there’s a new competition starting,” said Carver.

“Yeah, you want to win or come second. But our aim is to survive in the group, that’s what we have to do.”

Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Gauld was included in Steve Clarke’s squad for the opening double-header, along with Sturm Graz defender Max Johnston and Liverpool forward Ben Doak.

Carver said “every part of the world” was looked at to see “which players could come in and take us forward”.

“We’ve got the preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, that for me starts now, which is why there’ll be a few fresh faces in there,” the assistant coach explained.

“Scotland were in the doldrums 23 years ago and now we’re we’ve qualified for two back-to-back Euros, we’ve got into the Nations League Group A.

“There’s still a huge gap to close. We’ll try as long as we can to keep improving that and make progress.”