Scotland Men's Football Team

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Kilmarnock teenager Bobby Wales is an "elite striker" who should be fast-tracked into the Scotland squad along with Hearts forward James Wilson.

That's the view of Scottish coach and football analyst John Walker, who would rather see Wales, 19, and 18-year-old Wilson named in Steve Clarke's squad on Tuesday for the looming Nations League play-off with Greece than Ipswich Town's George Hirst, who has been linked with a call-up.

"Anyone that's seen Wales play football up close knows he has absolutely everything, he is an elite striker and should be playing at the level that Hirst is playing at," said Walker on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The more you see of Wales the more I'm impressed, he's got everything, absolutely everything.

"He's an aggressive presser, he's got pace, he's brilliant at bringing people into play, he's got a great finish, he's really composed in front of goal.

"Him and Wilson, the sooner you get them into the squad, the sooner those two progress their careers, because the reality for Scottish football needs to be that we are feeder clubs for bigger stepping stones.

"Wilson and Wales are people that will feature in the national side going forward, I think you just get them in now.

"You're just kicking the can down to get Hirst in at 26, 27, for him to potentially be around for four years.

"At some point you need to stop, but this is the problem. Steve Clarke's got the carrot in front of him of you need to get to a World Cup, so maybe he's looking at it only in this cycle alone and [thinks] Hirst gives me the best chance to do that just now."

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Luke McCowan says he hopes a Scotland call-up is "on the horizon" should he continue impressing for Celtic, but isn't expecting one in the near future.

Head coach Steve Clarke will name his squad for the two-legged Nations League play-off against Greece next week, and some supporters and pundits have suggested the midfielder should be selected.

But the 27-year-old is not getting his hopes up.

"Maybe not a target this season," he said of making Clarke's team.

"It's something that's hopefully on the horizon at one point, but as I've said before, it's not something that's jumping out at me.

"If it comes along, it comes along. I'm at a great club. I'm playing most weeks and I'm enjoying that.

"If that comes along, I'm sure I'll be happy, but it's about focusing on Celtic just now."

McCowan and his team-mates have been able to do that more this past week than recent times have allowed, due to not playing midweek.

The former Dundee man admitted he had to "push through" some gruelling weeks amid a packed fixture schedule, but knows he's come out the other end stronger for it.

"It's actually something I was thinking of this week, now that it's passed, I was like, that was a tough couple of months," he added.

"It's the first time I've felt it. This mentality, getting your body used to it, getting your mind used to it, is something that I obviously got through now, but I'm glad I pushed myself through that. You test yourself with it.

"If I was to get called up, I know I'd be able to deal with it a lot better than what I would in previous years. If it does come along, I know I'll be ready for it mentally, physically and tactically.

"Hopefully it does come along, but if it doesn't, it's not something that's going to get to me."

Everton manager David Moyes has warned Nathan Patterson he must "step up" if he wants to force his way back into the first-team after returning from injury with the 23-year-old right-back's Scotland call-up hopes also hanging in the balance. (The Herald), external

Josh Edwards is hopeful his impressive start with League One promotion chasers Charlton Athletic after the 24-year-old right-back's January transfer from Dunfermline Athletic will eventually lead to a Scotland call-up. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie may require surgery in the summer to resolve a "chronic" groin problem, says Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.

Christie has been a key player for the Cherries, who sit seventh in the Premier League, starting 24 of their 27 games while managing his injury.

However, the 30-year-old missed last week's FA Cup penalty shootout win against Wolves and could also be missing for the trip to Tottenham on Sunday.

Christie is set to be part of the Scotland squad for this month's two-legged Nations League play-off against Greece.

"Ryan's (injury) is something chronic," Iraola said.

"He's dealing with some pain and I think it's a situation that we will have to manage day by day.

"I'm not ruling him out, I trust Ryan a lot. He knows his body. Sometimes he's feeling OK and he trains and says, 'I'll give it a go', sometimes he's in some pain.

"So, it's not an easy situation to deal with during the season. Probably he needs some rest, but obviously he wants to continue playing.

"We will continue to deal with it. We are probably thinking about surgery or something like this and it's better for everyone if it's in the summer.

"But I'm not Ryan Christie and he has to see how he feels. If he can play or can't play, decisions with the doctor, but he's pretty good at managing it."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Throughout his Scotland tenure, Steve Clarke has never been blessed with a full, fit and firing forward line.

Now is no different.

While Che Adams is still enjoying life out in Italy, Lyndon Dykes is injured, Lawrence Shankland is struggling to hit last season's heights and Tommy Conway is still in the infancy of his international career.

With a crucial Nations League A two-legged play-off against Greece to come later this month, Clarke headed out on a scouting mission to catch Ipswich Town's George Hirst in FA Cup action against Nottingham Forest.

The 26-year-old, son of former Sheffield Wednesday forward David, headed in the opener at the City ground, with Clarke in the stands.

It was his third goal of the season, with his only Premier League goal coming in a 4-3 defeat to Brentford in October, but he's been playing second fiddle to Liam Delap.

Hirst, a former England Under-20 international, qualifies for Scotland through his paternal grandfather, and, according to BBC 5 Live presenter Aaron Paul, "offers something different" to what Scotland already have.

"He's a very, very different kind of player to the likes of someone like a Conway, and definitely different to someone like an Adams or a Kevin Nisbet. So why not?" Paul told BBC Scotland.

"He's 6ft 3in, powerful, mobile and intelligent. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He's the son of David Hirst, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker, so he's got the pedigree.

"But he's a thinker, and he's someone who's had to work really hard for his opportunities."

Hirst has missed nearly two months of this season with a knee injury, having also missed a chunk of The Tractor Boys' promotion campaign last term.

"They haven't been minor little injuries, they've been big setbacks," Paul added.

"But he's committed, he plays in a high-octane Kieran McKenna side who like to press hard from the front. He's a big unit and he'll use his size. He's not a raw goalscorer, he's not a pure all-rounder, but he's someone who will press well."

Paul confirmed McKenna was unaware of the Scotland head coach's presence at their game against Forest, but the Northern Irishman said: "Scotland is something that George definitely wants to explore.

"I just think this could be a fantastic opportunity if others are somewhat struggling, or if there is an opportunity there, to take it and grasp it with both hands."

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Ipswich Town forward George Hirst, 26, could be given his first Scotland call-up for this month's Nations League play-off matches with Greece. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Aaron Hickey played the first 45 minutes for Brentford Under-21s as they won 2-0 against Birmingham City Under-21s in the Professional Development League.

The full-back made his first Brentford appearance since October 2023 and combined with Isaac Holland before curling an effort into the top corner.

The Scotland international will hope to build on his positive return as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Hickey joined Brentford from Bologna in July 2022 and signed a new contract with the Bees last month, committing his future to the club until 2028.

Before his injury, he had been a key part of Brentford's defence, making 37 appearances for Thomas Frank's side.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie has a groin issue, with Nations League play-off fixtures with Greece coming up next month. (National - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Scotland captain Andy Robertson could be in line for a short-term contract extension at Liverpool, with the 30-year-old's rival for the left-back spot, Kostas Tsimikas, likely heading for an exit from the Premier League leaders at the end of the season. (The Athletic), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Crystal Palace are keen on signing Liverpool's 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak, who is on loan at Middlesbrough. (Alan Nixon – subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour's omission from the Napoli first team is continuing to perplex Italian media, with the 23-year-old having not started a match since a 5 December defeat by Lazio having lost his place to Stanislav Lobotka. (The Scotsman), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Scotland defender Kieran Tiernery will become Celtic's highest earner when the 27-year-old completes his summer transfer from Arsenal, with his wages dwarfing current top earners - captain Callum McGregor and centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers. (Football Insider), external

Scotland forward Kevin Nisbet, 27, is ready to show his best at Aberdeen after netting goals in successive games in the Dons' return to winning ways. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Scotland winger Ben Doak, on loan at Middlesbrough from Liverpool, is out for a period of weeks and the 19-year-old could be a doubt for his country's Nations League play-off double-header with Greece next month. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip