What's happened
Scotland's assistant manager John Carver expresses confidence in the Tartan Army's support for Steve Clarke despite a disappointing Euro 2024 exit. As the team gears up for Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal, Carver emphasizes the need for realistic expectations and acknowledges the challenges ahead.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Alan Pattullo in The Scotsman, John Carver noted that he hasn't encountered disappointed fans since the Euros, stating, "They’ve actually said how much of a great time they’ve had." This sentiment reflects a broader optimism among supporters. However, Clarke's acknowledgment of the team's struggles, as reported by Anthony Brown in The Independent, highlights the need for improvement: "We didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve in the tournament." The contrasting views from these sources illustrate the tension between fan support and the team's performance expectations.
How we got here
Scotland's national team faced criticism after a poor performance at Euro 2024, where they exited in the group stage. The team is now focusing on upcoming Nations League matches as part of a rebuilding phase under manager Steve Clarke.
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