Scotland close door on Newcastle United and Leeds Anglos as coach tells them 'you’re too late for Euro 2024'

John Carver has slammed the Scotland door shut on any Euro wildcards looking to make a late charge for Germany.

The national no.2 insists boss Steve Clarke is looking to stay loyal to the heroes who secured qualification – and he’ll give injured stars right up until the last minute to seal their seats on the plane. Stalwart defender Grant Hanley was forced out of Friday’s friendly clash with Holland, while Callum McGregor, Aaron Hickey and Ryan Jack are all absent from the camp.

Carver admitted losing Hanley at this stage was a blow but is optimistic about the others proving their fitness for the main event. He admitted Scotland chiefs are not looking to tempt any big name Anglos into the group with the promise of places in Germany. Hampden spies have spent recent months attempting to woo Newcastle aces Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento, Elliott Anderson and Anthony Gordon, along with Leeds United wonderkid Archie Gray.

Scotland may pick up the process again – but only after the Euros as Clarke will stick with his tried and trusted campaigners. When asked if there was time for some late curveballs, Carver said: “I would be very surprised, because loyalty is massive. We are almost settled on what we are going to take away.

“I would be very surprised if somebody comes out from nowhere. We are more or less settled.

“Unless we find somebody who is like ‘wow’, an outstanding player. I am not going to go down this street of Anderson and Gordon and all this lot because I have had enough of that, I am sick of talking about that.

“If somebody comes from nowhere I would be very surprised. But we are looking at all the options for now and obviously for the future. “Because we have to take it further again after the Euros.

“We have