West Ham midfielder Andy Irving has received his first call-up to the Scotland squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal. The 24-year-old former Hearts player has impressed national team coach Steve Clarke with his performances, earning the opportunity to represent his country alongside Aberdeen right-back Nicky Devlin and Preston centre-back Liam Lindsay.
Irving, who has made three substitute appearances for West Ham since joining from Klagenfurt in the summer, will be joined by Lindsay, who has been a regular starter for Preston in the English Championship. Devlin, 30, has caught the eye with his strong start to the season at Aberdeen, and will compete for the right-back position in the absence of injured players like Aaron Hickey, Ross McCrorie, and Nathan Patterson.
In a notable return, goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been recalled to the squad after missing out on the European Championship squad this summer. The 41-year-old Hearts shot-stopper, who became Scotland’s oldest-ever international player against Finland in June, is back in contention following his impressive performances at club level.
Joining Gordon in the squad are Norwich’s Angus Gunn and Dundee’s Jon McCracken. Torino forward Che Adams makes his comeback after missing the previous internationals, while Lawrence Shankland retains his place despite a tough start to the season with Hearts.
Notably absent from the squad due to injury is Aston Villa captain John McGinn. The midfield maestro will miss out on the upcoming matches as he continues his recovery, providing an opportunity for other players to step up and make an impact for Scotland.
Young talents like Ryan Gauld and Ben Doak retain their spots in the squad, showcasing the blend of experience and fresh talent that Clarke is looking to cultivate. However, several promising youngsters, including Tommy Conway, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, and Josh Doig, who are still eligible for Under-21 selection, have not been included this time around after being involved in the previous squad.
The upcoming Nations League fixtures will provide an opportunity for the newly called-up players to make their mark and contribute to Scotland’s campaign. Fans will be eager to see how Irving, Devlin, and Lindsay fit into the national team setup and help Scotland in their quest for success on the international stage.