Steve Clarke announces Scotland squad for next World Cup qualifiers
Scott McTominay is back in the Scotland Scotland squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
The Manchester United midfielder returns after missing out on the last squad due to injury and is joined by fellow Premier League midfielder Stuart Armstrong of Southampton, who also missed September’s matches due to injury.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor is also included despite missing the last few games at club level, though his Celtic teammates James Forrest and Greg Taylor again miss out due to injury.
Rangers goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is the only other addition to the last squad, replacing Zander Clarke.
Fresh from two consecutive wins against Moldova and Austria that have left Scotland sitting in second place – and, importantly, with the vital play-off spot in their own hands – Steve Clarke’s side now welcome Israel to Hampden on 9 October before flying to the Faroe Islands three days later.
Following victory in their last match over second seeds Austria, Scotland sit in second spot in the group, four points clear of Austria and one point above next opponents Israel.
The match on 9 October will be a repeat of Scotland’s EURO 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel which was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets for the match are sold out.
Goalkeepers
Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian)
Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Jon McLaughlin (Rangers)
Defenders
Liam Cooper (Leeds United)
Grant Hanley (Norwich City)
Jack Hendry (Club Brugge KV)
Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest)
Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell)
Nathan Patterson (Rangers) PS
Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)
Midfielders
Stuart Armstrong (Southampton)
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen)
Billy Gilmour (Norwich City – on loan from Chelsea) PS
John McGinn (Aston Villa)
Callum McGregor (Celtic)
Kenny McLean (Norwich City)
Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
David Turnbull (Celtic)
Forwards
Ché Adams (Southampton)
Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)
Lyndon Dykes (Queen’s Park Rangers)
Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United)
Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian)