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Assistant head coach John Carver believes failing to become the first Scotland side to reach a group stage has to motivate the team.<\/p>\n
“We all took criticism,” he said. “There was a huge amount of disappointment. <\/p>\n
“We had a chance to create history and we didn’t. That’s got to be a drive and the motivation to go again.<\/p>\n
“It’s a new start today because there’s a new competition starting. Our aim is to survive in the group, that’s what we have to do. Yeah, you want to win or come second. Our priority will be – can we stay in the group?”<\/p>\n
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Gauld was included in Clarke’s squad for the opening double header along with Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston and Liverpool winger Ben Doak.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got the preparation for the World Cup because the preparation for me now starts, which is why there’ll be a few fresh faces in there, which is important,” Carver explained.<\/p>\n
“We’ve looked at every part of the world, part of the globe to see which players could come in to take us forward.<\/p>\n
“Scotland were in the doldrums 23 years ago and now we’re we’ve qualified for two back-to-back Euros, we’ve qualified and got into the Nations League Group A.<\/p>\n
“There’s still a huge gap to close. We’ll try as long as we can to keep improving that and make progress.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n