Scotland duo ruled out of Euro 2024 to leave Steve Clarke facing selection dilemma

Where might Clarke turn to solve right-back crisis?

Scotland will travel to Euro 2024 without their two first-choice right backs after Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey were officially ruled out of the tournament.

Assistant manager John Carver has confirmed that the pair will not recover from their respective injuries in time to be included in Steve Clarke’s squad, which is named on Wednesday and will feature 28 players with two dropping out before the June 7 deadline.

Patterson was told he needed surgery after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Everton against Chelsea last month. Brentford full-back Hickey also suffered a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge and has not played since October.

Scotland duo Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson have both been ruled out of Euro 2024. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Confirmation of the double blow comes after Lewis Ferguson was ruled out of the tournament after suffering cruciate ligament damage.

When asked whether Hickey would be missing, Carver told STV: “You can also throw Nathan Patterson from Everton into that as well. It’s three big players for us and three players who have done extremely well for us in the qualifiers and in recent times.

“The good thing is they are three young lads who hopefully have World Cups and Euros to come in the future, so we won’t forget about them.”

The double blow creates at least one vacancy in Steve Clarke’s squad with Celtic’s Anthony Ralston the only other right-sided wing-back in the pool for last month’s friendly defeats against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

Versatile Bristol City player Ross McCrorie, who has featured at right-back in his career, was also a late call-up recently.

Stephen O’Donnell and Celtic winger James Forrest have both played in the wing-back position for Scotland but the Motherwell player has not been in a squad for two years, while Forrest last featured at the previous European Championship three years ago.

Carver recently attended Aberdeen’s 4-0 win over Hibs where Nicky Devlin and twice-capped Chris Cadden featured at right-back, although he was reportedly watching Dons midfielder Connor Barron.

Carver said the two extra places in the squad will allow the fitness and form of players to be assessed: "We obviously have a few issues with slight injuries. We want to see it for ourselves with our eyes. They'll train with us, we'll collate all the data.

"We'll obviously sit down and have a conversation with the guys. This is an honest group. I'm sure the guys will be honest if they're not quite right or not fit. It can open up opportunities for people who you might not think could get in to the squad."