Scotland Men's Football Team

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With Steve Clarke announcing his Scotland squad tomorrow, could we see a familiar face earn a recall to the national squad after a year in the wilderness?

Kevin Nisbet was last in the national squad when Scotland took on England in a friendly at Hampden, following his move south to Millwall.

However, with only five goals last season he has not been selected since and has been unable to add to his 11 caps.

"I played with Kevin at Hibs - very, very good striker," McGeady said. "I was surprised it didn't quite work out for him Millwall but he's a shrewd acquisition from Aberdeen. I was surprised he didn't go back to Hibs to be honest."

Nisbet scored his third goal in five games at the Dons during Saturday's 2-1 win over Dundee and has impressed since his move north.

"With [Pape] Gueye being missing, I was unsure of how Aberdeen would do because I think they have been relying a lot on him. But they've added to the squad and, at that end of the table where Aberdeen are wanting to be, that's a shrewd acquisition in getting Nisbet and that's three goals in five games already.

"He will score goals, he's a proven striker in the Premiership. It's up to him to keep adding to that and have a good season because I think his plans are to get back in the Scotland setup.

"I think that was why he wanted to come back to Scotland with a bit more of a spotlight on himself, to get back into Steve Clarke's plans."

However, McGeady is unsure that Nisbet will be named tomorrow in Clarke's squad to face Croatia and Portugal in the Nations League.

"I'd be surprised, I think he needs a little bit more time and more form to be included instead of Lawrence Shankland. Steve Clarke is very loyal to his players, the players who have done well for him in the place.

"If Nisbet keeps playing the way he is, scoring goals, and with Shankland not firing on all cylinders, there is a potential for that to happen."

• Aiden McGeady was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen to on BBC Sounds by clicking here.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke is considering a maiden call up for Preston North End centre-back Liam Lindsay, 28, in the midst of a defensive crisis for the games away to Croatia and at home to Portugal. (Daily Mail), external

Ryan Gauld has emerged as a doubt for Scotland's Nations League double-header next month after he missed Vancouver Whitecaps' 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers. (Scotsman), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

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Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Porteous says he "wasn't ready mentally" to return to football following Scotland's exit from the Euros.

The Watford defender was sent off in Scotland's opening defeat against hosts Germany, and was duly suspended for the other two group games - a draw against Switzerland and a loss to Hungary.

The 25-year-old was thrown straight back into pre-season with his club side, and describes it as "the toughest part of my life".

"I went away with my Mrs for four days then came right back to it. I knew when I came right back in that I wasn't ready," Porteous said, talking to The Voices of the Vic podcast, external.

"I wasn't ready mentally. Physically I wouldn't have needed a pre-season because I didn't really stop at all, but mentally I wasn't ready.

"I had conversations with [Watford manager] Tom Cleverley, he dipped me in and out and left me out for a few pre-season games."

Porteous says the situation was "horrible", but says he wants to highlight his struggles in order to help anyone else in a similar situation.

"It was really difficult, without this sounding like a sob story and everyone feeling sorry for me, maybe it could help other people who get in this situation," he said.

"Honestly, I couldn't even tell you the frame of mind that I was in, it was really horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

"It's hard but I think it's brave to come out and say all this stuff, I'm at the stage now where I'm happy to do it because I think it can help others.

"It was the toughest part of my life, and up to the last month I've been completely back on track and I'm feeling back to normal, probably happier than I was before."

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With several teams interested in securing his signature, Scotland striker Che Adams sought the advice of head coach Steve Clarke in the summer.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Clarke's view was: "If you stay in England, it’ll be easier for me!"

Remaining at Southampton was one option, with fellow Premier League sides Wolves and Nottingham Forest also keen in signing the forward.

Adams' decision in the end, however, was to move his life to Italy and pen a deal with Torino.

It is already looking like a shrewd call as the Serie A side currently sit top of the table after five games, with Adams scoring twice and assisting another in those early-season fixtures.

But the Scotland forward missed the Nations League double-header earlier this month, confirming to BBC Sport that he had a hip-flexor issue.

"I was just new to the country, I needed to take good treatment and get fit here," he added. "I don’t think it would have helped going to Scotland at that time."

Given the striker's start to the season, it will be no surprise to see him back in the squad for October's games against Croatia and Portugal.

After all, regardless of where he is playing, Clarke told Adams he will always have an eye on the 28-year-old.

On the advice the Scotland boss offered him in the summer, the striker added: "He just told me to keep fit, keep healthy and keep scoring, and he'll always be watching."

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Former Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic and Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic are missing from Croatia's 25-man squad for their Nations League meeting with Scotland, who have added Scott McKenna and John McGinn to their own list of injury doubts.

McKenna, who has been a regular starter at left centre-half in the absence of Arsenal's Kieran Tierney, picked up a hamstring injury in training on Friday that ruled the 27-year-old out of Las Palmas' 2-1 La Liga defeat by Osasuna the following day, with the Spanish club as yet unsure of his recovery time.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery had more clarity about McGinn, revealing that the midfielder is likely to be missing "for a few weeks" after the 29-year-old was forced off with a hamstring injury at half-time during Saturday's 3-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, Nathan Patterson featured in Everton Under-21's victory over Sunderland on Sunday - the right-back's first match in nearly six months.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is expected to name his squad next week for the Nations League double header - in Croatia on 12 October and at home to Portugal three days later.

Croatia counterpart Zlatko Dalic has already confirmed his squad, with Juranovic again missing out after summer ankle surgery that means he has not featured for Union Berlin this season.

Stanisic's absence reduces the options at right-back, but Dalic says: "I believe we can compensate well with the players we have."

Borna Barisic, the left-back who joined Trabzonspor from Rangers this summer, is one of those to drop out after being named in the provisional squad.

Croatia followed their opening Nations League defeat in Portugal by beating Poland last time out, while Scotland have gone six games without a win after their loss in Lisbon earlier this month.

Torino striker Che Adams has insisted that he had to pull out of Scotland's Nations League defeats by Poland and Portugal earlier this month because of a hip injury and not because he was still settling with his new club. (Daily Record), external

Las Palmas centre-half Scott McKenna and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn are Scotland's latest injury doubts for their forthcoming Nations League double header. (The Scotsman), external

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed former Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic, currently with Union Berlin, and Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic will not be part of his 25-man squad for the Nations League meeting with Scotland on 12 October after the pair had failed to recover from recent injuries. (The Scotsman), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Image source, Getty Images

Scotland striker Che Adams came off the bench to score Torino's winner in a 3-2 victory over Verona that takes his new side to the top of Serie A.

The 28-year-old summer arrival from Southampton found himself a substitute after failing to score in two starts since scoring the winner against Atalanta.

Head coach Paolo Vanoli, the former Rangers defender, had gone with a strike force of Antonia Sanabria and Duvan Zapata and both scored in the first half either side of Grigoris Kastanos' goal for the hosts.

However, Adams fired home 12 minutes after being introduced on 67 minutes before Daniel Mosquera reduced the deficit in stoppage-time for Verona.

It puts Torino, unbeaten this season, top by a point, although Napoli, now with Scotland duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay in midfield, will overtake them should they win away to Juventus on Saturday.

Udinese, who lie second, visit Roma on Sunday.

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 25, will sign a new contract with Bologna this week, according to reports in Italy. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Stuart Armstrong scored his first goal since joining Vancouver Whitecaps after being set up by fellow Scotland midfielder Ryan Gauld in a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.

Gauld, who earned his first two caps against Poland and Portugal this month, had already set up Haiti forward Fafa Picault's 35th-minute opener before former Dundee United team-mate Armstrong scored two minutes after coming on as a late substitute.

It was Armstrong's second substitute appearance since finding a new club after exiting Southampton this summer, the 32-year-old having also been given the final six minutes of Whitecaps' 0-0 draw with Dallas.

Gauld, meanwhile, took his total of assists this season to 12 - 15 goal contributions, including six goals, in the 28-year-old's latest 15 appearances.

The victory means Whitecaps sit fifth in the Western Conference, 10 points behind leaders LA Galaxy but with a game in hand 27 matches into the season.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack has been pictured in training by Turkish second-tier club Erokspor, but the 32-year-old who is a free agent after being released by Rangers has not yet been announced as a signing before Sunday's match against Igdir. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston has revealed how he trudged across Europe from the Scotland squad camp and arrived in the dead of night in Malta because he was so desperate to play for the under-21s. (Sunday Post, print edition)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Image source, SNS

Lennon Miller "wants to add goals and assists" to his game after a standout performance in Scotland Under-21s' 5-0 trouncing of Malta.

The Motherwell midfielder scored one and provided two assists on his competitive debut for Scot Gemmill's side in their Euro qualifier.

Dane Murray, Josh Mulligan and Lewis Neilson were also on target, while Miller's Motherwell team-mate, Ewan Wilson, helped force an own goal on his debut.

"We knew coming here with the heat, and with them not winning the game [the reverse match] that they'd want to try and beat us," Miller said.

"We started the game very well and we kicked on. We were excellent attacking wise and disciplined behind the ball. We won the ball back within seconds when we lost it."

On his goal, which was assisted by Daniel Kelly who has just moved from Celtic to Millwall, Miller said: "I saw the ball go out wide, I arrived in the box and thankfully Daniel found me so I stuck it in the back of the net.

"As a midfielder you need to add goals to your game, it's partly what you are measured on and getting assists as well is what I want to do coming into this season, so I'm thankful to get a few tonight."

Scotland face Belgium next month and Miller said: "We've got to relish it, we've got to challenge ourselves against teams like that."

A hamstring injury to Hibernian's Kieron Bowie was "the only dampener to the night" for Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill after Tuesday's 5-0 win over Malta. (Sun)

Former Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan would like a testimonial with Sheffield Wednesday after 10 years with the club and, as a Celtic fan, would love the Scottish champions or former club Aston Villa to be the opponents. (The Star), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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On paper, Scotland's late defeats by Poland and Portugal may not have seemed like much of a reset from the summer's disappointing Euros campaign.

However, a change of shape to a 4-2-3-1 and a more positive approach has provided renewed hope from some sections of the Tartan Army.

And Steve Clarke remains optimistic his squad can build on the revised approach in next month's Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

"As you always do after the end of a journey, which was the championships in the summer, you have to go away, you have to analyse everything," Scotland boss Clarke said. "I have to analyse myself, my staff and players.

"And then you have to decide what the reset is. And then you have to explain that to the players."

With Callum McGregor retiring and several squad members injured or without clubs, Clarke called up six uncapped players and handed debuts to Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld.

"We look to improve, build on what we do. I’m very honest with my players and they’re very honest with me," Clarke added.

"I think when you have that relationship with your players then you can do what we’ve done in the short space of time.

"But then we want to do it again when we get together in the next camp. We have a little bit longer, so we might manage to get three training sessions before we go to the pitch. So it gives us more time.

"Myself and the coaches can go away and analyse this game and the Poland game and hopefully we can give the lads a few more pointers for the two games next month. They don’t get any easier, Portugal at Hampden and Croatia away."

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No Scotland head coach has gone through what Steve Clarke is enduring right now.

A run of eight competitive games without victory is the worst in the nation's history. Including friendlies, it's one win in 14 attempts.

To turn it around, Scotland and Clarke need three things. Patience, bravery, and trust.

Patience must come from the fans. That's according to Pat Nevin, the former Scotland winger, who admits it's probably the hardest thing for Clarke to come by.

"We've got fairly patient supporters," Nevin told BBC Scotland. "They understand the limitations of Scotland a lot of the time and have done for generations. That’s the hard one and I understand why some people lose patience."

The bravery, says Nevin, must come from the Scottish FA board to stick by their man, even if this slump continues - which it very well might, given Scotland's next four games (Croatia away, Portugal home, Croatia home, Poland away).

"They need to stand back and realise the basics are there," Nevin added. "We’ve got a good coach who gets the best that he possibly can do from the group.

"I get the feeling they will [back Clarke]. They really enjoyed the fact that they got those two Euros in a row. Okay, we didn’t do so well when we got there but it is all about getting there. I think he deserves it and I think they'll think that too."

Finally, Clarke needs the trust of his players. Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland star John, is certain the head coach has that.

"From within the camp, the guys have total trust in Clarke," McGinn said. "They enjoy it. There's been times over the last 20 years of being a Scotland fan where I've looked at a squad and I thought, 'You're disjointed, you don't like the staff, you don't like each other, you don't like going'.

"We don't have that. We need to be careful with the narrative of really pushing it and getting rid of a manager that we all know deep down can get us to a major tournament."

Maybe there's a fourth thing Clarke would ask for, too. Context.

In this dreadful run of 14 games, six have been friendlies and two were dead-rubber qualifiers, while three came at the Euros.

Three of those friendlies took place against England, France and the Netherlands. Wins in those games would have been nice, but also wouldn't have been held under the same microscope with which these defeats are now examined.

• Stephen McGinn was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen to here on BBC Sounds.