Scotland squad brings McTominay back as Penrice gets first call-up

Scotland go into their final two Nations League fixtures third on 4 points after 4 matches, which is why this squad announcement carries a bit more weight than a routine recall list. Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams are back, while James Penrice gets his first call-up. With Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean out injured, Scotland have added experience but not much room for error.

Scott McTominay, quoted by bbc.co.uk, said: "Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams return to the Scotland squad, while there is a first call for James Penrice for the remaining Nations League matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland."

The squad balance matters more than the headline names

McTominay's return is the obvious lead because Scotland have missed one of their most reliable senior players, and Tierney and Adams bring the same kind of familiarity. McTominay has already made 3 Scotland appearances in this Nations League campaign, while Tierney has made 2.

But Penrice is the detail that gives this squad a different shape. A first call-up is not just a filler line in a national team squad story, especially when the games still carry stakes. Penrice has made 9 league appearances this season, and this is the sort of call that reflects both form and need.

The absences matter as well. McKenna and McLean miss out through injury, so Sébastien Pocognoli is not simply restoring his strongest group and moving on. He is still patching around missing experience in a squad that has tightened from the extended pool used earlier in the campaign.

BBC Sport also reported that Pocognoli has gone with a 26-man squad and four goalkeepers for these fixtures. That feels slightly cautious, but it also fits the state Scotland are in, they need enough cover without losing the core of the side.

The group table leaves Scotland very little margin

This is where the selection becomes more interesting. Scotland are third in their section on 4 points, with a goal difference of -2. One point would be enough to remove any threat of relegation, but the target is higher than that because a minimum of four points is needed to have any chance of finishing second and reaching the promotion play-offs.

The naming of the group is a little messy. BBC's reporting describes it as Group B1, while the standings data here list it as UEFA Nations League Group B - Group A. The more important detail is the table itself, and that is clear enough: Switzerland lead on 12 points and Slovenia are on 7.

That gap explains why this squad cannot just be read as a gentle reset. Scotland are chasing, not protecting a strong position. Getting McTominay back helps, and bringing Tierney and Adams into the group again gives Pocognoli more of a first-team look, but they still need results in both matches.

One of those games is away to Switzerland, the side setting the pace in the section. Scotland's route is simple in practical terms, they need to take care of North Macedonia at home and then go into the final trip with something still alive. The squad gives them a better chance of that, but it does not leave much slack.

Scotland's remaining Nations League fixtures are at home to North Macedonia and away to Switzerland, and four points from those two games are the minimum target if the play-off chase is to last.

FAQ

Will Scott McTominay play in Scotland's next Nations League matches?

Scott McTominay has returned to the Scotland squad for the remaining Nations League fixtures, at home to North Macedonia and away to Switzerland. The squad announcement confirms his return alongside Kieran Tierney and Che Adams, although it does not guarantee who will start.

Why was James Penrice called up by Scotland?

James Penrice has received his first Scotland call-up as Sébastien Pocognoli adjusts the squad for the final two Nations League matches. Penrice has made 9 league appearances this season, and his inclusion stands out in a selection shaped by returning senior players and a couple of injury absences.

Can Scotland still reach the Nations League play-offs?

Scotland can still keep their promotion play-off hopes alive, but the margin is tight. They are third on 4 points after 4 matches, while Slovenia have 7 and Switzerland have 12. The current situation leaves Scotland needing a minimum of four points to have any chance of finishing second.

Who is missing from the latest Scotland squad through injury?

Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean miss out through injury. Their absence is part of the reason this squad feels a little more delicate, even with Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams all back in the group for the final two matches.

• bbc.co.uk

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →