JOHN CARVER has told cocky Lennon Miller to keep his feet on the ground.
The 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder marked his Scotland call-up by revealing his desire to soon be considered the best player in the squad.
Lennon Miller training with Scotland[/caption]
He has the chance to impress John Carver and Steve Clarke[/caption]
Scots No 2 Carver said: “He’s a confident lad and there’s nothing wrong with that and believing in your own abilities. He’s a very, very good player.
“He’s a young player learning, so he needs a little bit of guidance.
“I made a similar mistake a lot older than him, so I will talk to him. Hopefully he’s learned from it because I did. But whatever you do in the world, you have to believe you’re the best at it. I don’t have a problem with people believing in their ability.
“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t think in a positive manner about himself and his own ability. He just needs a little guidance.”
Meanwhile, jubilant Geordie Carver will try to resist the temptation of a Carabao Cup wind-up on Andy Robertson.
Instead, the Scotland No 2 will console the Liverpool star and national team captain.
Because ultimately he’ll be hoisting a far bigger trophy aloft as a Premier League winner in a couple of months’ time.
Carver was ecstatic as he watched his beloved Newcastle United end an agonising 70-year wait for domestic silverware at Wembley on Sunday, crushing Robertson’s Reds with a 2-1 win.
The club’s last success came ten years before the former Toon player, coach and manager was even born.
But Carver didn’t allow himself to toast Eddie Howe and Co’s triumph with a beer — because he watched it in the “dry” confines of the Scotland camp.
The 60-year-old, who once worked with Magpies legends such as Kevin Keegan, Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne, said: “The national team met up last night, so I think I’m the only Geordie who didn’t really celebrate properly!
“I was gutted not to be at Wembley because obviously I’ve been there with a team and not won and been there as a supporter and not won.
“So to see them win on TV was quite incredible, a really emotional moment.
“And we deserved it. We really deserved to win the game.
“More importantly, it was a good result for football because the way our fans support the football club, they deserve it more than anybody.
“They’ll party all week, don’t worry about that, and I’ll miss that too, but they deserve it. Eddie, his staff and his players were outstanding, so it’s put a big smile on my face.”
Asked how he’s going to approach facing Scotland skipper Robertson, the coach — who took over as boss of Lechia Gdansk in Poland in November — said: “I’m so disappointed for Andy, obviously, but my heart is black and white.
“We’ll have a chat about it. Andy’s a very good pro and it’ll take him a day or so to get over the disappointment.
Andy Robertson suffered cup heartache on Sunday[/caption]
“But you know what’s really good for him is at least he won’t have to wait 70 years for the next trophy to come along.
“They’re only two months away from picking up the Premier League and I’m sure they’re going to do that.”
Now Carver has finally seen Newcastle grab one of the big three domestic trophies in his lifetime, he is also dreaming of helping Scotland reach a first World Cup finals since 1998, with the qualifiers getting under way in September.
He said: “That would be amazing, but there’s a long time to go before we get to talking about the World Cup.
“We’ve got this Nations League play-off to attack. Once we get past that, let’s see.
“But the emotions of yesterday are the best feelings in football — and you want a taste of that.
“If we do manage to make the World Cup it’ll be one of the best feelings ever.”
Carver is delighted to be back with the Scotland squad preparing for a crunch Nations League play-off double-header against Greece that can keep Steve Clarke’s side among the Pot A elite.
First up it’s Piraeus on Thursday night, with the return at Hampden on Sunday.
And the Scots coach, who’s dealing with financial chaos and player revolt at his Polish club, insists it’s vital we stay part of the top echelon of Euro countries after making it there for the first time.
Carver said: “We’re playing against a Greek side who are in good form and they’ve got an incredible record at home in particular.
“But we’re in a better place now and we’re improving all the time.
“You have to play at the best level you can, which is why we’re so determined to stay in the top division. We worked hard to get there and we want to stay there.
“Players improve by playing against the best players. We’re desperate to stay in Pot A.”
Hearts starlet James Wilson, 18, was a stunning squad selection by head coach Clarke, along with teenage Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller.
On striker Wilson, a long- awaited top international prospect in such a key position, Carver said: “Let’s not forget we had James come and train with us a year ago.
James Wilson training with the Scotland team[/caption]
“He has earned the right to be in the squad and if the opportunity comes around to play, who knows?”
Carver also opened up on his challenging job in charge of top-flight strugglers Lechia, with so many off-field issues to contend with.
Club chiefs allowed him to team up with the Scots squad for the play-off while his deal there is up at the end of May.
But there’s no certainty over his future for club or country.
Appointed by Lechia in November, they are still 17th of 18 clubs in the Ekstraklasa but have clawed themselves within two points of safety.
He added: “We were isolated at the bottom with 11 points. We’re now in touching distance of escaping the relegation zone.
“I’ve got a really young team, which is great. I’ve got a small squad, they’re young, naive players who’ll make mistakes.
“But we’re trying to play the right way out and hopefully we can get out of it.
“I’m only focused on this camp here now, though. When I go back and get to May, we will see where the team are.
“But I love my time here. I want to be part of this going forward, for sure. We’ve got the World Cup coming up and I’m thinking about that.
“There’s no issues. But I can’t predict what’s going to happen come the end of May.
“Once we’ve finished our last game I’m flying to Dubai for one day to be with the Lechia squad at a training camp and then flying back to Gdansk.
“To be honest, I’ve stayed away from anything after May.
“I’ll make my mind up and the club might make my mind up for me because if they get relegated they might want somebody else.”
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