Scotland: Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet earns recall as Southampton’s Che Adams misses out

Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet has been named in Scotland’s squad for the first time in two years for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, with Southampton’s Che Adams missing out through injury.

Rangers’ Souttar last featured in Steve Clarke’s squad a year ago.

Scotland, who lead Group A after two wins, visit Norway on 17 June before hosting Georgia three days later.

Stoke City forward Jacob Brown, who has been used mainly as a substitute by Clarke, is also left out the head coach’s squad after missing the end of the Championship season with a hamstring issue.

It means Heart of Midlothian’s Lawrence Shankland, who was called up for the March victory over Spain after Adams was injured against Cyprus, retains his place this time.

The 27-year-old has scored 26 goals this season while city rival Nisbet, the 26-year-old having missed the start of the season through injury, has found the net 12 times in 20 games since his return in December.

“It’s always disappointing to lose key players, but you tend to get used to it – you normally name a squad and then you’re losing key players all the time,” Clarke said.

“Disappointing for Che but a chance for Kevin Nisbet to come back into the squad. Kevin’s a goalscorer and we know the qualities that he brings us.

“Lawrence is in the squad – same qualities, can score goals – and don’t we’ve got Lyndon Dykes as well and I thought he was very good in the game against Spain. We’ve got enough quality up front.”

Club Brugge’s Hendry missed both of Scotland’s March games through injury and he and Souttar compensate for the loss of Norwich City stalwart Hanley.

“When you lose players of the quality of Grant Hanley, who we’ve lost for a considerable period of time, it’s nice to have somebody like John to come back into the squad and hopefully he can show the form he’s shown any time I’ve picked him for our country,” Clarke said.

Fellow centre-back Dominic Hyam also retains his place after the Blackburn Rovers 27-year-old received his first call-up last time round.

After keeping two clean sheets against Cyprus and Spain in his first Scotland appearances, Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn keeps his place in the squad alongside Hearts’ Zander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly.

Clarke is pleased that Billy Gilmour recently has won more game time with Brighton & Hove Albion “after a difficult start to the season” and hopes the midfielder “can show us what he can do again”.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell).

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Jack Hendry (Club Brugge), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dominic Hyam (Blackburn Rovers), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal).

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: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian), Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian).