Scotland: Lawrence Shankland called up to replace Che Adams

Adams has been a regular in Scotland’s matchday squad during qualification for Euro 2024

Lawrence Shankland has been recalled to the Scotland squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Norway following the withdrawal of Che Adams.

The Heart of Midlothian striker, 28, was initially left out of Steve Clarke’s squad, having also missed out against Spain and France last month.

But he has scored five goals in his last five matches and has been recalled because of Adams’ groin injury.

Adams, 27, featured for Southampton as a substitute on Saturday.

Lyndon Dykes of Queens Park Rangers and Jacob Brown of Luton Town are the other strikers in the squad, with Bournemouth’s former Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie able to operate in a forward role.

Scotland assistant head coach John Carver says it is “extremely important” the Hearts captain makes the most of an opportunity he did not expect.

“The good news for us is Lawrence is a player in form, chipping in with a couple of goals at the weekend,” Carver said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. I can use Ryan Porteous as an example. We went to Ukraine needing a point in the Nations League, Ryan stepped in and was outstanding and hasn’t looked back since.

“This is a similar opportunity for Lawrence. He’s in good form, he’s scoring goals for Hearts which is important, but he’ll want to be on that plane [to Germany]. It’s a competitive squad but it’s an extra opportunity for him.”

Scotland have already qualified for Euro 2024 but conclude their campaign with a game in Tbilisi on Thursday (17:00 GMT) and at home against Norway on Sunday (19:45 GMT).

Captain Andrew Robertson and his fellow defenders Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and John Souttar plus goalkeeper Angus Gunn and striker Kevin Nisbet are also missing through injury.

Rangers back-up Robby McCrorie returns to the squad in Gunn’s place alongside Hearts’ Zander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly.

The injury to Gunn has created another unexpected opportunity, and Carver does not envy Clarke in having to decide whether to pick Clark or Kelly to start in Tbilisi on Thursday.

“Steve has an idea of what he wants to do but it was a little bit of a masterstroke giving them both their first caps against France in Lille as they’ve had that experience and been around the group for so long,” said the assistant head coach.

“They understand what it’s all about. They’re very competitive and Steve’s got a big decision to make on that situation.”

Hickey, Robertson and Tierney’s absences mean uncapped Hellas Verona left-back Josh Doig and reserve Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston have been included.

Clarke’s side have ensured they will be in Germany next summer but have lost their last three games – to England, Spain and France.

Carver wants the side to “press the reset button” and finish the campaign with six points from the final two qualifiers – while also suggesting Scotland may trial something new in the games against Georgia and Norway.

“The desire is there as we’ve lost three games in a row against top-quality opposition, against three of the top-10 sides in Europe,” he added.

“So it’s been a great learning curve but you want to get back to winning ways. We need to go again. We need to finish off what we started.

“We’re not going to experiment but we’re going to try one or two things we think can take us to the next level.”

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Liam Kelly (Motherwell), Ross McCrorie (Rangers).

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Josh Doig (Hellas Verona), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Greg Taylor (Celtic).

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United).

Forwards: Jacob Brown (Luton Town), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian).

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