Aberdeen's Andrew Considine and Ross McCrorie into Scotland squad with Hibs' Paul McGinn

Six withdrawals from the Scotland squad to face Israel has forced manager Steve Clarke to send for re-enforcements for the defence in the national team’s next two games.

Aberdeen's Andrew Considine is in the Scotland squad looking for his first cap (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Stuart Armstrong’s positive COVID-19 test ruled the midfielder out of action, as well as team-mates Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie who were identified as close contacts of the Southampton midfielder.

Add to those three injuries for Scott McKenna, Liam Palmer and Oliver Burke, and Clarke’s squad was severely depleted for the match which Scotland won on penalty kicks after a two-hour slog against Israel last night.

Now though, boss Steve Clarke has turned to Aberdeen duo Andrew Considine and Ross McCrorie, who makes the step up to join his brother Robby in the senior squad for Sunday’s match with Slovakia and another next week against Czech Republic.

Paul McGinn has had a good week with a new deal and national team recognition (Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Also joining his sibling in the Scotland camp will be Hibs’ Paul McGinn. Brother John, of Aston Villa, scored the opening penalty of last night’s shoot-out success.

Hibs boss Jack Ross said: “I spoke to Steve Clarke and it’s clear he has been watching Paul’s form with interest. He’s a manager’s dream and has been since I first worked with him at Dumbarton – the type of player who is a good team-mate, first and foremost, and gives you everything he has on a weekly basis.

“He’s a valuable member of our group and I know how much this call-up means to him.”

It is a double success for the 29-year-old defender who also signed a new deal at Easter Road this week.

The national team call is 33-year-old Considine’s first, after more than 500 appearances for Aberdeen.