LOSING to Croatia in their final group game at Euro 2020 and missing out on the knockout rounds of a major tournament once again was, with Dejan Lovren, Luca Modric and Ivan Perisic all playing for the Russia 2018 finalists, no disgrace for Scotland.
But for John Carver, the national team assistant manager, the exit from those finals was not just due to the undoubted quality of the opposition.
Carver felt the small crowd which Andy Robertson and his compatriots had to play in front of at Hampden – Covid-19 social distancing restrictions were still in place at the time and the stadium was less than half-full as result - had a negative impact on their performance.
He knows that will not be an issue when Scotland take to the field in the MHPArena in Stuttgart to face Hungary in their last Euro 2024 section game here in Germany tomorrow evening.
The Geordie is a proud Englishman and is hoping his homeland can put their underwhelming start behind them and go one better than they did three years ago when they were beaten on penalties in the final at Wembley.
So much so, in fact, that he found himself tearing up when the unofficial national anthem Flower of Scotland was played before kick-off in midweek.
“Listen, I’m an emotional type of guy,” he said. “I can be aggressive and lively, but I am quite emotional inside. I only get emotional about football when it comes to Newcastle United, because that’s my club.
“But it hit me the other night because I had friends in the stands from Newcastle who have family who are Scottish and have season tickets for Hearts. They were sitting behind us and I felt what they were feeling during Flower of Scotland. It was emotional, I have to be honest, I can’t hide the fact. The noise was incredible.”
Carver thinks the likes of Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Robertson, Callum McGregor, Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Che Adams all benefitted hugely from their involvement at Euro 2020 and will be well placed to deal with the pressure of the Hungary game and perform.
But he is convinced the fans will play a huge part too and can help Scotland to remain involved a little bit longer than they have in the past.
“Last time around it wasn’t a proper tournament,” he said. “This has got a different feel to it for sure. You can see from the reaction of the fans. Listen, I remember from watching as a kid what you were like.
“The Tartan Army always used to go and enjoy themselves with no trouble and that’s why there’s no party without them. But to see them live and be in amongst it now is quite incredible.
“I was so pleased for them on Wednesday because they got something back. We got a bit of pride back and the players got a bit of pride back because we were all hurting after losing to a top, top side (Germany) who are going to go close.
“What we are asking for is the same again plus more, not only from our players, but also from our fans. It makes a difference, it does make a difference. It’s not a cliché, it really does make a difference.”
Scotland were savaged by journalists, former players, media pundits and commentators after they were thrashed 5-1 by Euro 2024 hosts Germany in their opening game in the Allianz Arena in Munich last week.
“The response was still positive,” he said. “It wasn’t what I was expecting. I walked out of the stadium and I was so disappointed I couldn’t speak. But when we got back to the hotel the fans were unbelievable.
“I went for a walk the next morning and they were so positive that it got me going. I was like a caged lion ready to pounce and that was how the lads felt as well.
“After the Switzerland game the reception we got when we got back to the hotel at about one o’clock in the morning was incredible. It was like a guard of honour as we came into the hotel. The applause and the noise were incredible.
“They’re all there, women, children, blokes. They gave us an unbelievable reception. Then when we got up in the morning the fans were still there. They were applauding the players and the staff on to the bus again. We get the police escort to the station and there’s loads of them lying outside with beers in their hands applauding. It was just amazing.”
What will the scenes will be like if Scotland beat Hungary tomorrow evening and accomplish something none of their predecessors ever did? Carver is hoping they can do better than they did against Croatia and find out.
“It was a little bit soulless last time,” said Carver. “That last game against Croatia was really strange. It’s hard to explain it. But the stadiums are full here and everybody seems to be having fun and enjoying themselves and mixing with each other. I think the fans will make a difference this time.”
