Picture credit – Bryan Berlin
Sebastian Pocognoli has announced his second Scotland squad for this month’s UEFA Nations league fixtures.
It sees the return of star man Scott McTominay, who had to miss the previous games in September and October due to a heart issue, which he needed surgery on.
The team also sees some fresh faces, one of which being Rangers defender James Penrice, who has earned himself his first ever call up to the national team.
This comes after some stellar performances from the left back who is currently on loan from Greek outfit AEK Athens. There was high praise from Gers heroes Andy Halliday and Barry Ferguson for the defender following his appearances in both of the old firm games.
When asked for a reaction to the big news in an interview with Rangers FC, he said, “I’m incredibly proud”.
Pocognoli says he needed support in the left back area: “Combined with his quality and what we are looking for on the pitch, it’s a logical choice for me and it can be very useful for the system that we want to play.”
It has been a good couple of days for the full back, having made an assist for striker Ryan Naderi’s dramatic late winner against Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on Saturday. He joins fellow light blues Findlay Curtis and Liam Kelly in the sqaud.
Another player who has come back into the fold is Che Adams. He’s scored a total of four goals in eight games for Serie A club Torino this season.
Kristi Montgomery has been called up again. The 22-year-old joined the last squad after Kieran Tierney and Kenny Mclean dropped out due to injury. He previously made a singular appearance for the under 21’s.
The Tartan Army will be hoping for a better international break than the last after two heavy defeats to start the new gaffer’s tenure.
Scotland will play North Macedonia on Friday the 13th at Hampden Park, (kick off, 7:45 pm) followed by a trip to Switzerland on Monday 16th in the last game of the Nations League campaign. They lie third in the group. The Scots need to win the two ties to have any chance of finishing second in the group.
| Played | Goal difference | Points | |
| Switzerland | 4 | 10 | 12 |
| Slovenia | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Scotland | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| North Macedonia | 4 | -10 | 0 |
Full squad below:
Goalkeepers
Scott Bain Falkirk
Angus Gunn San Jose Earthquakes
Liam Kelly Rangers
Jon McCracken Bradford City
Defenders
Luis Binks Brondby IF
Luke Graham Stoke City
Jack Hendry Al-Ettifaq
Aaron Hickey Brentford
Nathan Patterson* Torino
James Penrice Rangers
Andy Robertson Tottenham Hotspur
Kieran Tierney Celtic
Stephen Welsh Swansea City
Midfielders
Ryan Christie AFC Bournemouth
Lewis Ferguson Bologna
Billy Gilmour* Napoli
John McGinn Aston Villa
Josh McPake Heart of Midlothian
Scott McTominay Napoli
Kristi Montgomery Blackburn Rovers
Forwards
Ché Adams Torino
Kieron Bowie US Sassuolo
Findlay Curtis Rangers
Ben Gannon-Doak AFC Bournemouth
Oli McBurnie Hull City
Robbie Ure Sevilla
