Scotland’s World Cup squad confirmed as Celtic and Hearts stars | Football | Sport
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has named his 26-man squad for the World Cup, with Celtic and Hearts players reunited following their Scottish Premiership final-day drama. Ross Stewart is the surprise inclusion, following his four years in international wilderness, and has been recalled following a strong season at Southampton.
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, is bidding to be the second-oldest player to ever compete at a World Cup. He is joined by club captain Laurence Shankland, bidding to put their club woes aside after they lost out on the title to Celtic in dramatic fashion – a controversy that remains ongoing.
Stewart, 29, has not been in the squad since 2022, when he made his only two appearances for the country. But his 11 goals in 33 appearances in the Championship has earned a recall.
Tommy Conway unfortunately picked up an injury that ruled the Middlesbrough winger out of the summer competition. Lennon Miller is also absent.
Conway is succeeded by Rangers teenager Findlay Curtis, while Ben Gannon-Doak has recently returned from his own injury and is named in the squad.
Miller featured for Udinese in Serie A this season but having missed out on the March friendlies, has found himself out of the 26-man group.
One of Clarke’s worries will be behind the posts, with all three goalkeepers only making 15 appearances between them this season.
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dominic Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham City), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton).
