Scotland's Euro 2024 dreams on the line in must-win Norway clash

John Carver, Scotland's assistant coach, has advised his team to focus on their own performance and let Norway and their star player, Erling Haaland, worry about the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday. Despite Haaland missing his country's first two qualifiers due to injury, Scotland currently holds the top spot in Group A with a five-point lead over Norway after two games.

Carver acknowledged that Haaland is expected to play in Oslo on Saturday, having just finished an incredible debut season in England. The Norwegian striker helped his team win the Champions League and completed a treble, scoring an impressive 52 goals in 53 games. However, Carver also mentioned that one of Haaland's fellow club members, Spain midfielder Rodri, was displeased with Scotland's tactics after a defeat in March.

Carver marveled at the players' ability to perform at their highest level when facing tough opponents. He cited a recent game against Spain as a prime example, where Rodri, who had just been named Man of the Match in the Champions League final for Manchester City, showcased his exceptional skills and dedication. Carver noted that Rodri's reaction after the game against Scotland further demonstrated his commitment to the sport.

While we acknowledge Haaland's talent and the presence of other exceptional players on their team, we must prioritize our own performance and maintain our high standards. Our opponents may have concerns about our own skilled players, therefore, it is crucial that we concentrate on ourselves and handle the circumstances accordingly. We may make minor adjustments, but ultimately, we must focus on our own abilities.

Opponents will surely have concerns about the likes of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, and Callum McGregor. Our team possesses a formidable strength that should not be underestimated, as evidenced by our performances in the Spain and Cyprus matches. It is clear that we have a talented group of players and our opponents will need to be wary of that fact.

The team performs at their best when they are fully focused and committed. The returning players have shown a fantastic attitude, which gives me confidence that they will bring their A-game. However, it ultimately comes down to how well we execute on the field in order to achieve a favorable outcome.

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Hampden Park was a sell-out for Scotland's opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers

Scotland is currently in a favorable position and a victory over Norway would put them on course to secure a top-two finish and automatic qualification for Germany. They have a home game against Georgia scheduled for next Tuesday. Despite their confidence, there is no hint of arrogance within the team, which is a testament to the character of the players. The absence of any superstars in the squad means that complacency is not an option, as there is always someone ready to pounce and take you down. This awareness is integral to the team's success.

The team is well aware of the challenge ahead and unlikely to underestimate their opponents. To prepare, Coach Steve Clarke took most of the players to a training camp in Spain, in an effort to avoid a repeat of last year's disappointing results in June, including a playoff loss to Ukraine and a 3-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

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As the heatwave persists, Scotland manager Steve Clarke and coach John Carver are hard at work preparing the team at Lesser Hampden. The upcoming trip to Oslo is set to be a challenging one, with temperatures expected to soar into the 30s. Despite this, the team remains focused on their training and preparations for the game.

Carver emphasized the importance of the team's preparation, stating that training in rainy conditions would help them acclimate to the warm weather they would face during their upcoming matches. While acknowledging the uncertainty of Haaland's current whereabouts, Carver noted that the player was likely still celebrating the successful year his team had experienced.

This helped us to build better team chemistry and prepare for the upcoming season as a cohesive unit. By having the majority of the players together, we were able to work on specific tactics and strategies that we wanted to implement in the new season. Overall, our decision to hold a training camp with most of the team present was a success and we hope it will pay off in the long run."

"So our preparation going into these two games was a lot better than it was this time last year."