John Carver has warned Scotland fans that they might need to endure more Nations League pain in the pursuit of World Cup gain.
Bottom of their group after back-to-back defeats last month, a squad decimated by call-offs will face Croatia in Zagreb on Saturday on the back of one win in 14 games.
Over a year has passed since the Scots last won a competitive game. And, missing an entire team of first-picks, Steve Clarke’s assistant admits they’re up against it for the forthcoming double header against the Croats and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
‘We are in a difficult Nations League group but that’s because of the success we have had, getting promoted,’ said Carver.
Scotland coach John Carver has told supporters to be ready to suffer
‘We might have to suffer now but I guarantee we will be better in the long term for this.
‘We know this is an important competition but we have the World Cup draw coming round in December and all of our planning is towards that.
Poor performances in Germany drained some of the optimism and enthusiasm surrounding the national team before Euro 2024.
Under contract until the next World Cup finals in 2026, further defeats in the coming week would raise further questions over the manager’s tenure.
Scotland learn their qualifying opponents in December and Carver believes there are still reasons to believe.
‘I will touch on Ben Doak coming into the group and playing against Portugal, playing against Croatia. He will definitely get better playing against better players.
‘A young player, when he goes into a Premier League football club, and he’s trained with top-quality players, like at Man City for example, he gets better.
‘So, every individual that’s coming in now, because we’re playing against pool A sides all of the time, these players will improve and get better.
‘It’s called accelerated learning in my eyes, and you develop quicker and better.’