Graeme Shinnie, Gary Mackay-Steven, Scott McKenna and Michael Devlin have today been called up for Alex Mcleish’s Scotland squad to face Albania and Israel in the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
All four were part of the last Scotland squad with Devlin and Mackay-Steven coming in for the second match against Portugal due to call offs and Gary making a cameo off the bench to assist Steven Naismith for Scotland’s consolation in injury time.
McKenna and Shinnie have established themselves as regulars in the national set up in the past year, with Scott putting in man of the match performances against Hungary and Mexico, although missed the matches against Albania and Belgium in September due to injury. Dons captain Shinnie was finally rewarded his long-awaited debut in the summer trip to Mexico and Peru, coming on in the second half against the South Americans.
Although Devlin didn’t make his debut in the last outing, he has more than earned his call up with a string of excellent performances for The Dons. He has formed a formidable partnership with McKenna at the heart of the Aberdeen defence this season and hopefully the two can play side by side in the dark blue of Scotland for years to come.
Mackay-Steven has been arguably Aberdeen’s best performer this season and The Dons faithful have been treated to some wonderful moments from the winger. His skill and pace have often left opponents in his wake and he has five goals to his name this campaign.
The upcoming double-header is crucial for Scotland if they are to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Nations League. The group of three is finely poised with Scotland and Albania on three points, behind Israel on six. Two wins would see Alex McLeish’s side leapfrog Israel, thus qualifying for the next stage of the competition, with the winners of each league earning a place at Euro 2020.
Good luck to the national team on the massive double-header and congratulations to Gary, Graeme, Michael and Scott on the call ups.
Full Scotland side to face Albania and Israel
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) Andrew 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 City) Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion) Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City)
