Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton drafted into Scotland squad

Four new players have been called up for upcoming friendlies

Published 20th May 2016

Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton is one of four players who've been calle dup to the Scotland squad for the upcoming friendlies with Italy and France.

It's after the Championship play-off finals in England led to a number of withdrawals from Gordon Strachan's squad.

Swansea left-back Stephen Kingsley and Derby midfielder Craig Bryson are also in the squad, along with Scott Fox of Ross County.

Goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Scott Bain have pulled out of the squad.

Hull players Andy Robertson, Robert Snodgrass and Shaun Maloney, plus Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan, are unavailable for the Italy game on May 29 after getting to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final the previous day.

But they could still be involved in Scotland's friendly against France in Metz on June 4.

McGregor, however, is out altogether after missing Hull's semi-final victory over Derby with a back problem.

Kingsley and Hamilton are Scotland Under-21 regulars while Ross County number one Fox has previously made the squad under his former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.

Hamilton has only made eight first-team appearances for Hearts but has just signed a new three-year contract and has featured for Stenhousemuir, Forfar, East Stirlingshire and East Fife on loan.

Kingsley has made his first-team breakthrough at Swansea in recent months, playing four times. The 21-year-old made more than 100 appearances for Falkirk as a teenager and also has first-team experience on loan with Yeovil and Crewe.

Former Clyde and Kilmarnock midfielder Bryson, 29, has won two Scotland caps, the first in a 3-0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands in 2010 and his second in a 1-0 victory in Norway three years later.

There could be more changes in the coming days as Rangers manager Mark Warburton has hinted he will withdraw Lee Wallace and Barrie McKay if his team win the William Hill Scottish Cup and secure an early start in Europe. Fellow cup finalists Hibernian could re-examine John McGinn's place in the squad if they claim the trophy.

Strachan rested Celtic and Aberdeen players and offered Hearts the same privilege in recognition of their European demands.