Goalkeeper Angus Gunn and uncapped Findlay Curtis have been named in Scotland’s squad for this month’s World Cup warm-up matches.
Steve Clarke has picked a 26-man group for the go to of Japan on March 28 and the journey to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium three days later to play the Ivory Coast.
Regardless of that includes for simply 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season, Gunn, who began at Euro 2024 in Germany, returns rather than the injured 43-year-old Craig Gordon.
Angus Gunn (L) is again within the Scotland squad rather than the injured Craig Gordon
In defence, Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Dom Hyam of Wrexham return to the squad rather than injured Brentford defender Aaron Hickey and full-back Josh Doig, whereas Hibs’ Grant Hanley retains his place regardless of final enjoying over a month in the past attributable to harm.
Ben Gannon Doak misses out as he returns from the hamstring harm suffered in Scotland’s win over Denmark final November, with Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving included in midfield.
On the top-end of the pitch, 19-year-old Curtis, who’s on mortgage at Kilmarnock from Rangers, is included in a senior squad for the primary time.
Findlay Curtis (L) has impressed since becoming a member of Kilmarnock on mortgage from Rangers
Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway additionally returns, whereas Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland misses out as he recovers from harm.
Scotland’s sport towards Japan – who had been the primary nation to qualify for the World Cup – shall be their first again at Hampden Park since qualification for this summer time’s finals was confirmed.
Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park to qualify for the World Cup
In the meantime, the pleasant towards Ivory Coast – who reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations – would be the first assembly between the groups.
A Hampden Park farewell towards Curacao on Might 30 and an abroad pleasant within the USA, but to be confirmed, await thereafter – earlier than that first Group C match towards Haiti.
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol Metropolis), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich).
Naismith ‘very optimistic’ Scotland could make World Cup knockout historical past
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Talking earlier this month, assistant Steven Naismith mentioned the probabilities of Scotland reaching the knockouts of a males’s main finals for the primary time
Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith is feeling “very optimistic” about his nation’s probabilities of progressing past the group phases for the primary time.
The 51-time capped ahead, who performed underneath Clarke earlier than first becoming a member of his teaching workers in 2021, believes this present group of gamers can create much more historical past after ending the nation’s 28-year watch for World Cup qualification.
“If I’m honest, if you looked at the teams involved and our squad and where it’s at, before the draw even came out, I had a feeling that was our aim,” he advised Sky Sports activities Information.
“The supervisor’s been very massive on this manner again to after we narrowly missed out within the Ukraine play-off, that we will not not simply get to the finals, we are able to undoubtedly progress.
“The games are all going to be tough, the conditions are going to be tough, but that’s the same for everybody.
“You are enjoying towards quite a lot of completely different nations that you do not come up as a lot towards. They will be robust video games, however I undoubtedly really feel we have what it takes throughout the group to progress and be the primary group to try this on the World Cup.
“What we’ve got is a squad of leaders who are at their prime, playing at big clubs to guide the potential younger guys in the squad as well.
“So we’re very optimistic. It should be arduous work, however we will certainly do all we are able to.
“This group have continuously excelled and made their own history. The next step, and what would be really nice for some of the guys, is to finish their career to be the ones that push through the group stage and into the knockout stages of a World Cup.”
