Scotland Faces Fitness Concerns With Grant Hanley Ahead Of European Championship

John Carver, the assistant coach for Scotland's national football team, has expressed concerns over Grant Hanley's fitness ahead of the European Championship. Hanley, a key defender for Norwich City and Scotland, has been battling an Achilles injury that kept him out of action from April to December last year. Despite returning to the pitch on Boxing Day and making nine appearances, Hanley's recent withdrawal from the Scotland squad due to an ankle injury has raised doubts about his readiness for the upcoming tournament.

David Wagner, Norwich City's manager, noted that Hanley has not regained his pre-injury form and sharpness. As a result, Hanley will undergo a tailored individual training program to accelerate his recovery. Before his injury, Hanley was a regular fixture in the Scotland lineup, contributing significantly to their win against Spain last March.

Aside from Hanley, Scotland faces additional fitness concerns with key players Callum McGregor and Aaron Hickey also sidelined due to injuries. McGregor is currently recovering from an undisclosed injury, while Hickey has been out since late October with a hamstring issue. Their absence and potential unavailability for the European Championship add to Scotland's challenges.

In preparation for the friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, Scotland has called up four goalkeepers: Craig Gordon and Zander Clark from Hearts, Angus Gunn from Norwich City, and Liam Kelly from Motherwell. Carver highlighted the intense competition among the goalkeepers in training, emphasizing the high stakes as one will likely miss out on the final squad for the Euros.

Lawrence Shankland's recent performances have also caught Carver's attention. The Hearts forward has been in excellent form, scoring 17 goals for his club since being called up as a late replacement for Che Adams in November. Shankland's ability to find himself in goal-scoring positions has made him a valuable asset for Scotland.

As the European Championship approaches, Scotland's coaching staff remains hopeful that their injured players will recover in time. The team's resilience and depth will be tested as they aim to navigate through these challenges and make a significant impact at the tournament.