Just 74 days on from Scotland’s gut-wrenching exit at the European Championships in Germany, Steve Clarke’s side are back in action as they begin their 2024 Nations League campaign at Hampden Park in early September.
With a chance to move on from their disappointing performances at the summer tournament, the Tartan Army will welcome Poland to the home of Scottish football on September 5, before flying off to sunny Portugal for an international double header.
After their promotion in the last Nations League campaign, Clarke will see his side placed in Group A1 for the first time, where they will be relishing the opportunity to test his themselves against some of Europe’s strongest teams. Sadly for the Scotland boss though, he faces a number of selection issues, with injuries and match fitness a concern for the 60-year-old boss. But how will his first squad since Euro 2024 look? And who’s squad place is in doubt?
Ahead of the games with Poland and Portugal, we look at 10 players who could miss out on call-ups next month.
5. Kieran Tierney - Arsenal
The Gunners defender is still out with the hamstring injury he suffered against Switzerland at the Euros. The squad is announced next week and there's genuine worry he won't be fit in time to return. | SNS Group / SFA
6. Liam Kelly - Rangers
The 28-year-old's had to battle with Craig Gordon for his place in the Euros squad this summer. Kelly is said to be a big influence on the squad as a whole, and a vital part of the dressing room. That said, he has now accepted a back-up role with his summer move back to Rangers and that could put his immediate international future in jeopardy. | SNS Group / SFA
7. Ross McCrorie - Bristol City
Another player that is likely to be ruled out with injury, McCrorie has a hamstring issue that he picked up in pre-season. He is expected to be out for “weeks” according to Robins boss Liam Manning. The right-wing back saw the first half of his debut season wrecked by a viral infection at Ashton Gate last year but fought back to fitness and made his international debut in the summer. With Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson also struggling to be fit for the September squad, Steve Clarke is threadbare at right-wing back. | SNS Group
8. Liam Cooper - Leeds United
At present, Cooper's club future is up in the air. He's listed as a Leeds United player, but has yet to feature this season with his contract technically 'expired' as of July. From an international viewpoint, he isn't match fit and barely played last season. His place in the squad is surely under threat? | SNS Group