Craig Gordon, Lawrence Shankland and Kieran Tierney have been included in Scotland’s squad for upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, as the countdown to Euro 2024 begins.
After missing out from the group that were picked to face Norway and Georgia last November, captain Andy Robertson, goalkeeper Angus Gunn plus defenders Grant Hanley and John Souttar also return.
Gordon – who last played for Scotland in November 2022 – is back following his double leg break and would overtake David Weir as Scotland’s oldest international if he plays, at 41.
He has played three Scottish Cup games for Hearts this year but will face competition from the current No 1 Gunn, who returns to the group, with club team-mate Zander Clark and Motherwel’s Liam Kelly also selected.
Fellow Hearts team-mate Shankland – who has scored 20 league goals in 29 appearances this season – has been rewarded with his spot in the squad, although he was drafted into the last group following Che Adams’ injury.
Lawrence Shankland – who scored during Scotland’s draw in Georgia – has 20 league goals for Hearts this season
Head coach Steve Clarke has also been boosted with the return of fit-again Tierney – who last played for the national team in a friendly against England at Hampden Park in September 2023.
Kieran Tierney last played for Scotland in a friendly against England at Hampden Park in September 2023
While Robertson, Souttar and fellow defender Hanley return too, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson – who is wanted by Serie A giants Juventus and Napoli – keeps his place after impressing in Italy.
Meanwhile, Robby McCrorie, Josh Doig, Ryan Jack, the injured Callum McGregor and Jacob Brown miss out.
Clarke’s side head to Amsterdam to face the Dutch on March 22 at the Johan Cruyff Arena before returning to Glasgow as Northern Ireland visit Hampden Park four days later.
Scotland squad in full
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Scotland’s Euro 2024 warm-up matches
March 22: Netherlands (a), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm
March 26: Northern Ireland (h), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm
June 3: Gibraltar (n), friendly, kick-off TBC
June 7: Finland (h), friendly, kick-off 7.45pm
Who do Scotland face at Euro 2024?
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Scotland boss Steve Clarke on Euro 2024, facing hosts Germany, the role of Scott McTominay, the fans and having a German beer!
Following the next set of friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland, Scotland will head to their Euro 2024 base camp located in the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 9.
Clarke’s side kick-off the tournament’s opening match against hosts Germany at the Allianz Arena on June 14.
The Scots also face games against perennial qualifiers Switzerland and Hungary, who reached the knockout stages in 2016.
Scotland have history kicking off tournaments, having been drawn to face Brazil in the opener at World Cup 1998, a game they narrowly lost 2-1 to a second-half Tom Boyd own goal.
This time they begin at the Allianz Arena before facing Switzerland in Cologne on June 19, with Hungary awaiting in Stuttgart on June 23.