'Different type' Gauld earns first Scotland call-up in 10 years

1 month ago 12

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Vancouver Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld could make his Scotland debut - a decade after his first call-up - after being named in Steve Clarke's squad to face Poland and Portugal in the Nations League next month.

Gauld, 28, was included in the senior squad in 2014 but did not feature under then-head coach Gordon Strachan.

Sturm Graz defender Max Johnston and Liverpool forward Ben Doak are others who could win their first Scotland caps, while Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie is preferred to Hearts' Craig Gordon and Liam Kelly of Rangers in the goalkeeping department.

Another Ibrox player, John Souttar, returns having missed the disappointing Euro 2024 finals, with Scott McKenna of La Palmas, Norwich City's Grant Hanley and Ryan Porteous of Watford the other centre-backs.

Scotland play Poland at Hampden on 5 September, before travelling to Lisbon to take on Portugal on 8 September.

Gauld takes the midfield spot vacated by Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who retired from international duty earlier this month.

The former Dundee United and Sporting playmaker will be competing with the likes of Billy Gilmour, Ryan Christie, John McGinn and Scott McTominay for a place.

Clarke's defensive options were fairly limited. Right-backs Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey remain unavailable through injury, while centre-backs Jack Hendry and Liam Cooper are also left out of the squad.

Hendry missed Al Ettifaq's Saudi league opener, and Cooper is without a club following the expiry of his contract with Leeds United.

Tommy Conway - who signed for Middlesbrough from fellow English Championship side Bristol City this summer - joins Doak as another youthful striking option.

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Zander Clark (Hearts), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock)

Defenders: Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Max Johnston (Sturm Graz), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Scott McKenna (Las Palmas), John Souttar (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Forwards: Ben Doak (Liverpool), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough)