Callum McGregor and David Turnbull have been included in Steve Clarke’s national team for the upcoming qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands next month, signalling a reluctance to rely on the Hoops this time round.
It halves the amount of players involved in the last squad as Greg Taylor and James Forrest miss out due to injury woes suffered over the past month.
Taylor has been out since the game against Ross County just a week after his last call-up and it remains to be seen when he will be back in the mix under Ange, whilst Forrest recovers from long-term fitness problems.
And seven former Celts have also been included in the side which has the best chance of reaching a World Cup Finals since the last Scottish involvement in 1998.
Craig Gordon, Jack Hendry, Stephen O’Donnell, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie and Stuart Armstrong also feature, meaning that over a third of the national side have donned the famous green and white Hoops before.
Scotland face a vital game against Liel Abada and Nir Bitton’s Israel on the 9th October as they look to go four points clear in the race for qualification with what would be just three games remaining, before a trip to the Faroe Islands three days later.
Your Scotland squad for our @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands next month. pic.twitter.com/rWn3tiNTtJ
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 28, 2021
Should Scotland win both those games, they will be in the driving seat to compete in the most famous competition on the planet – and a win over Moldova should seal the deal in November’s international break.
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