Scotland recall Shankland for World Cup qualifiers

Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Heart of Midlothian, has been called back to the Scotland squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Denmark later this month.

The 30-year-old striker, who last played for Scotland in the Nations League victory over Poland 12 months ago, makes his return to Steve Clarke’s lineup along with Ross McCrorie and Josh Doig, a goalkeeper.

With Che Adams of Torino, Birmingham City’s Lyndon Dykes, and George Hirst of Ipswich Town as the other strikers in the squad, Kieron Bowie of Hibernian misses out to make room for Shankland’s return.

Claudio Braga and Shankland have a good working relationship going forward for Hearts, with their goal in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Dundee setting him at the top of the domestic scoring charts.

Aaron Hickey is only just recovering from the injury he sustained during the previous international window, so Bristol City’s McCrorie, who made his only appearance against Gibraltar last year, makes a second-round return.

Max Johnston of Derby County, who has a hamstring injury, will miss up to eight weeks while Nathan Patterson of Everton will need a hernia operation.

One of the six Serie A players named in the 25-man pool for Sassuolo’s Doig, who was a member of the group in September, will compete for the left-back spot with captains Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson.

Due to injury, Falkirk’s Bain, 33, who won his final three San Marino caps in 2019, will start in goal as Angus Gunn, who has started all four of the qualifiers, is out.

Craig Gordon will likely take the place of Gunn, but Alexander Schwolow, who was signed for the Hearts this summer, has taken his place.

Clarke’s eight midfielders are the same as the players who contributed to the team’s tireless victories over Belarus and Greece in October.

Billy Gilmour replaces Scott McTominay in the squad alongside his club-mate after 38 minutes of Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Como over the weekend.

Scotland travel to Piraeus on November 15 to face Greece in the World Cup final before hosting group leaders Denmark at Hampden Park three days later.

After three victories and a draw, Clarke’s team are now second in Group C and have already qualified for at least one place in the March World Cup play-offs.

Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al-Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), and Kieran Tierney (Celtic) are the defenders.

Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese),