Scotland assistant boss confirms Hickey and Patterson to miss Euros

Scotland assistant manager John Carver has confirmed that both Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson will be missing from Euro 2024.

Steve Clarke will name his squad for Germany on Wednesday but neither of his two first choice right-backs will make the cut after suffering season ending injuries.

That will open the door for the likes of Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, who started his side’s 3-2 win over St Mirren on Saturday, to potentially be included.

Clarke will choose a 28-man squad on Wednesday with two being cut before the deadline on June 7 after friendly matches against Finland and Gibraltar.

Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson was already confirmed to be missing out in this summer’s tournament as he begins his recovery from a serious injury.

Speaking to STV Sport on Monday, Carver was asked if Brentford’s Hickey will be missing.

He said: “You can also throw Nathan Patterson from Everton into that as well.

“It’s three big players for us (including Lewis Ferguson) and three players who have done extremely well for us in the qualifiers and in recent times.

“The good thing is they are three young lads who hopefully have World Cups and Euros to come in the future, so we won’t forget about them.

“They have done a great job for us but it’s obviously someone else’s opportunity now because those guys won’t be with us.

“It’s no good worrying about it, we can’t affect it, so we have to be positive and the guys coming in will be competitive and this is an opportunity for them.”

Among the big talking points from Wednesday will be which goalkeepers make the cut, with Angus Gunn, Craig Gordon, Zander Clark and Liam Kelly all vying for a place on the plane, who the right-backs will be and if veteran Celtic winger James Forrest will be included after his return to form in recent weeks.

Scotland kick-off their Euros campaign in the opening game against the hosts in Munich on June 14.