Scotland’s Nations League Redemption Mission Begins
Steve Clarke has unveiled his 25-man squad for Scotland’s crucial Nations League clashes against Croatia and Poland, with Aston Villa captain John McGinn and Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway making notable returns. As Banglawin examines the selection, several intriguing storylines emerge about Scotland’s path forward in this competitive tournament.
The Tartan Army will be particularly pleased to see McGinn back in the fold after his injury absence. The dynamic midfielder’s leadership and creativity have been sorely missed during Scotland’s recent struggles – just one win in their last 16 outings. However, their encouraging 1-1 draw against Portugal last month suggests Clarke’s men might be turning a corner.
Goalkeeping Shakeup: Experience Meets Youth
One of the most surprising inclusions is Ipswich Town’s Cieran Slicker, who receives his first senior call-up despite not featuring for his club this season. The 21-year-old goalkeeper represents Clarke’s commitment to developing young talent, having impressed for Scotland’s U21 side with 17 caps.
Cieran Slicker’s promotion to the senior squad highlights Scotland’s youth development pathway
Veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 41, provides the perfect mentor for Slicker, while Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie retains his place. This trio replaces the injured Angus Gunn and omitted Jon McCracken, showing Clarke’s willingness to rotate his goalkeeping options.
Defensive Reinforcements Arrive
The return of Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna significantly bolsters Scotland’s defensive options. Hendry hasn’t featured since Euro 2024, while McKenna returns from injury that kept him out of recent matches. Their experience will be crucial against potent attacks like Croatia’s.
With Greg Taylor also back from injury, Scotland’s defense appears more settled than in previous camps. Clarke emphasized this point: “Having our regulars back gives us stability at the back. These are players who understand our system and what we’re trying to achieve.”
Midfield and Attacking Options
McGinn‘s return is complemented by the inclusion of young talents like Connor Barron and Ben Doak, showing Clarke’s blend of experience and youth. Up front, Tommy Conway’s four goals for Middlesbrough this season earned his recall, joining Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, and Lawrence Shankland in the attacking contingent.
Tommy Conway’s club form has earned him another Scotland opportunity
Notably absent is Lewis Ferguson, with Clarke explaining: “For players coming back from long injuries, it’s better they get consistent club minutes first. We’ll see them in March if they maintain fitness.”
Pathway to Progress
Clarke emphasized the importance of the youth development pathway, with several U21 graduates now establishing themselves in the senior setup. “We’ve got Barron, Doak, Conway, and now Slicker coming through,” Clarke noted. “It’s crucial young players see this progression is possible.”
Scotland’s next generation including Doak, Barron and Slicker training together
Full Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers:
- Craig Gordon (Hearts)
- Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock)
- Cieran Slicker (Ipswich Town)
Defenders:
- Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen)
- Grant Hanley (Norwich)
- Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq)
- Scott McKenna (UD Las Palmas)
- Ryan Porteous (Watford)
- Anthony Ralston (Celtic)
- Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
- John Souttar (Rangers)
- Greg Taylor (Celtic)
Midfielders:
- Connor Barron (Rangers)
- Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)
- Ben Doak (Middlesbrough)
- Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Billy Gilmour (Napoli)
- John McGinn (Aston Villa)
- Kenny McLean (Norwich)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli)
- Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls)
Forwards:
- Ché Adams (Torino)
- Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough)
- Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham City)
- Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Banglawin Verdict: A Balanced Squad With Points to Prove
This Scotland squad represents an intriguing mix of experience and emerging talent as they prepare for their Nations League finale. McGinn’s return provides leadership, while young players like Slicker and Conway get opportunities to impress. The defensive reinforcements should shore up a backline that’s struggled recently, giving Scotland a better platform to build from.
While results haven’t been ideal (just three points from four games), Clarke remains optimistic: “Performances have been decent, now we need to convert that into points.” With Banglawin providing expert analysis, Scotland fans can look forward to these matches with cautious optimism about their team’s development and future prospects.
