SCOTT BAIN’S outstanding form for Celtic in 2019 has been rewarded with a place in the Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and San Marino.
However, there was bad news for Craig Gordon whose miserable year continued with international boss Alex McLeish leaving him out.
The 36-year-old Hoops keeper, who has made 54 appearances for his country, has not played since the turn of the year with Bain in charge of the gloves for 15 successive games while conceding only five goals, three against Valencia in the Europa League.
There is also no place for ex-Celtic No.1 David Marshall, now with Hull City, but Millwall’s Jordan Archer and Sunderland’s Jon McLaughlin have been included.
It’s odds-on Bain will earn his first cap for his country in the competition.
Rangers shotstopper Allan McGregor, 37, has quit the international scene to concentrate on his club commitments.
On-loan Celtic striker Oliver Burke has been also reinstated by McLeish after his impressive displays since arriving from West Brom in January. The 21-year-old frontman has scored four goals and has become an instant fans’ favourite.
The bustling attacker picked up his last cap against Canada in 2017.
Burke and Bain are joined in the player pool with team-mates Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Lewis Morgan, currently on loan at English League One outfit Sunderland.
Ryan Christie has been overlooked due to injury problems.
The Scots travel to face Kazakhstan a week on Thursday before playing in San Marino three days later.
