.png)
6 months ago
27
Scotland have suffered a major blow ahead of Euro 2024 after it was confirmed that right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson will both miss the tournament due to injury.
Hickey has been out of action since last October with a hamstring problem, but it was initially hoped he would recover in time for the Euros.
His chances started to look increasingly remote given that he failed to play for Brentford again over the remainder of the season.
Now Scotland assistant boss John Carver has revealed that the 21-year-old definitely won’t be fit for selection.
Patterson has been sidelined since undergoing surgery last month, also on a hamstring problem, with Carver confirming that the 22-year-old Everton man will miss the Euros, too.
It’s a huge setback for Scotland boss Steve Clarke, who had already lost Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson to injury, as he prepares to name his provisional 26-man squad for the tournament on Wednesday.
Brentford's Hickey has now been ruled out of Euros with Scotland
Patterson is out of the tournament as well, also with a hamstring injury
Scotland assistant coach John Carver confirmed the news that both players will miss Euros
Asked if there was any chance of Hickey being fit, Carver said: ‘It’s hugely disappointing, he’s not going to be fit, he’s not going to be ready for us, but he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
‘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.’
Carver with boss Clarke, who now has a problem to solve at right-back
Clarke will now be forced to turn to Plan B in terms of who plays at right wing-back.
Hickey had been a standout performer during the qualifying campaign, with Patterson the preferred option as back-up.
Their absence is now likely to open the door for Celtic duo Tony Ralston and James Forrest, with Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong and Sturm Graz’s Max Johnston also under consideration.
Scotland play two warm-up games against Gibraltar and Finland early next month, before they kick-off the Euros against hosts Germany on June 14.
English (US)