Scotland manager Alex McLeish has called up Steven Fletcher and Matt Phillips to compensate for an injury-ridden strike force ahead of the coming tests against Israel and Albania.
McLeish has had to contend with injuries to Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths and Hearts talisman Steven Naismith. As well as central defender John Souttar.
Fletcher hasn’t played for Scotland in over 13 months and despite a respectable record for the national team, the 31-year-old has only scored three goals in 16 games for Sheffield Wednesday. Meanwhile, Phillips has bagged four from the right wing of West Brom’s attack in the English championship this season.
Elsewhere, the Scotland manager has stuck by the young and relatively inexperienced duo of Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie and Aberdeen central defender Michael Devlin. Who were both called up mid way through Scotland’s last run of fixtures.
The national team will travel to Albania to face Christian Panucci’s squad on November 17 and then welcome Israel to Hampden on November 20, with the aim of finishing top of their Nations League group.
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland).
Defenders: Michael Devlin (Aberdeen), Scott McKenna (Aberdeen), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen O'Donnell (Kilmarnock), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Celtic), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen), Kevin McDonald (Fulham), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Callum Paterson (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Oliver McBurnie (Swansea), Matt Phillips (West Brom), Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City).
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