With Nick Pope suspended for the EFL Cup final and Martin Dubravka cup-tied, Newcastle are likely to field their third-choice goalkeeper in Karius on Sunday at Wembley.
The German goalkeeper’s career has stalled over the last few years and he has not played a game at senior level since February 2021.
But unless Eddie Howe decides to pick fourth-choice Mark Gillespie, Karius will be between the sticks in Newcastle’s first cup final in 24 years on Sunday.
McCoist believes the German should see it as a massive opportunity to prove himself again on the big stage after not playing for two years.
He conceded that Pope not being available is a blow but feels it is a chance for Karius to redeem himself.
McCoist said on talkSPORT: “If you are Karius, surely you have got to look at it and say, what an opportunity I have got here.
“I have not played for as long but now I have got an opportunity to play in a domestic cup final for a team that haven’t won anything for 50-odd years.
“It is a blow that Pope is not being able to play but I keep saying it when one door closes, another one opens.
“What an opportunity for him!”
Karius’ last appearance in a final was a chastening night when he made comical errors in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in 2018.
