Scotland: Sunderland striker Ross Stewart, Hearts defender Craig Halkett & St Johnstone keeper Zander Clark called up
- Published
Craig Halkett has performed well in a back three for Hearts this season
International friendly: Scotland v Poland |
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Venue: Hampden Park Date: Thursday, 24 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT |
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland DAB/810MW, live text commentary on BBC Radio Scotland DAB/810MW, highlights on BBC Scotland from 22:30 |
Sunderland's Ross Stewart and Hearts' Craig Halkett have been called up by Scotland for the first time.
St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark will also join the squad to replace the injured David Marshall.
Stewart has scored 22 goals in 38 games for the English League One side this season.
Halkett will cover central defence after Scott McKenna withdrew, with Liam Cooper and John Souttar sidelined.
Both first-time call ups could make their debut in the friendly with Poland on Thursday, with Scotland then playing either Austria or Wales the following Tuesday.
Meanwhile, captain Andy Robertson is a doubt after missing Liverpool's FA Cup quarter-final win against Nottingham Forest with illness.
Stewart played for Ayrshire junior clubs Ardeer Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers after several years in the pro youth system with St Mirren, Celtic and Partick Thistle.
He then earned a move back to the senior game with Albion Rovers and had stints with St Mirren and Alloa Athletic before coming to prominence with Ross County, where he scored 28 times in 82 appearances to earn a move south.
Halkett has been a key member of the Hearts back three which has performed strongly to help the Tynecastle side to third in the Scottish Premiership.
Scotland are playing the Poles instead of their postponed World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine.
The game will be played at Hampden with £10 from each ticket sold going to Unicef's response in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country.
The Scottish FA has announced 33,000 tickets have been sold already for the match.
"We have been heartened and humbled by the response of the Scotland supporters and we thank every single person who has bought a ticket so far," said SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell.
Poland had been scheduled to play the Russians on 24 March, but have been given a bye into a final with Czech Republic or Sweden on 29 March.
Scotland and Ukraine hope to meet in June, with the winners facing either Wales or Austria.
Those two sides meet in Cardiff on Thursday, with the losers hosting Scotland in a friendly on 29 March.
Scottish FA chief Ian Maxwell, pictured at a charity event for children with autism, says 25,000 tickets have been sold for Scotland's friendly with Poland
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Motherwell), Zander Clark (St Johnstone).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Brugge), Craig Halkett (Hearts), Aaron Hickey (Bologna), Stephen O'Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen), Billy Gilmour (Norwich, on loan from Chelsea), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United).
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Jacob Brown (Stoke), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (Queen's Park Rangers), Ross Stewart (Sunderland).