Steve Clarke has named a 26-man squad for Scotland’s upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying and UEFA Nations League fixtures in June 2022.
In goal, Clarke has retained Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and David Marshall but added a fourth goalkeeping option in St Johnstone’s Zander Clark.
Kieran Tierney is ruled out in defence with a knee injury which has allowed Liam Cooper to be recalled after injury kept him out of March’s international fixtures, with his then-replacement, Aaron Hickey retaining his place in the squad.
Anthony Ralston handed his first proper pre international window call-up, having previously been called up as a replacement for suspended Nathan Patterson in November 2021.
Patterson’s inclusion though comes as a slight surprise following an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined at Everton for the last two months, as the Toffees escaped relegation from the Premier League in the penultimate matchweek.
John Souttar meanwhile has been added to the squad after impressing in defence for Hearts who finished as 2021-22 Scottish Cup runners-up, following their 2-0 extra-time defeat to Rangers in last weekend’s Final at Hampden Park.
David Turnbull meanwhile has been recalled in midfield as Clarke otherwise named an unchanged selection, with Stuart Armstrong, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour amongst those to retain their places in the squad.
Up front, Clarke has retained his forward quintet of; Che Adams, Jacob Brown, Lyndon Dykes, Ryan Christie and Ross Stewart, although Christie was originally named in the midfield selection in March whilst Stewart was added to the squad after the initial announcement.
Scotland will start their round of international fixtures with a home clash against Ukraine at Hampden Park on 1 June in their Qualifying Play-Off semi-final, with a Play-Off Final trip to Wales on 5 June to come if Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army win their semi-final tie.
Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army will then commence their UEFA Nations League campaign as they host Armenia on 8 June before visiting Armenia in the return leg on 14 June, with a home nations derby clash away to Republic of Ireland in-between both games on 11 June.
Here is Scotland’s 26-man squad to face Ukraine in their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play-Off semi-final, plus UEFA Nations League fixtures against Armenia and Republic of Ireland.
Goalkeeper: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Motherwell), David Marshall, Zander Clark (St Johnstone)
Defence: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Oostende) Aaron Hickey (Bologna), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Hearts), Greg Taylor (Celtic)
Midfield: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen), Billy Gilmour (Chelsea), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), David Turnbull (Celtic)
Forward: Che Adams (Southampton), Jacob Brown (Stoke City), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Ross Stewart (Sunderland), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)
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