Dominic Hyam and Angus Gunn 'trusted' for Scotland start as Steve Clarke considers Cyprus shake up

John Carver insists new-boys Dominic Hyam and Angus Gunn would be trusted to go straight into Scotland ’s Euro 2024 opener against Cyprus.

Steve Clarke has called Blackburn stopper Hyam into his squad for a first time. The 27-year-old replaces injured Jack Hendry with Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston also added to the set-up. Gunn is also in Clarke’s unit for a first time, but Carver insists both can be called upon immediately if the manager feels it’s the right call.

He explained: “You look at how many times Steve has brought in players and used players. I remember when I first came here and Steve kept saying it’s all about the squad. In my first squad, I think we used almost every player as we had three games and he is not scared to give an opportunity. You have to trust people. If not, what is the use in bringing these guys in, you have to trust them and Steve does when they come in. And they trust him for that reason.

“How many times has this happened recently? I’ll give Ryan Porteous as an example. Ryan was always on the fringes of things and we threw him in.

"All of a sudden everyone said: 'Oh that’s not bad! The same with Jack Hendry.' When Steve calls somebody up, he’s confident in their ability and he trusts them.”

Hyam has been capped at Under-21 level and has been a strong performer at Rovers this term. Carver said: “Obviously, he was a late call-up, but one we have been keeping an eye on of late.

“He’s playing in a confident team who are fifth in the Championship and just lost out in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. A player who has come through the system, we know all about him and I think Steve was at the game at the weekend against Sheffield United.

“He plays left-sided centre-back, but we know he can