CELTIC trio Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor and James Forrest have been included in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the forthcoming UEFA Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.
There is also a place for former Hoops favourite Craig Gordon, who, at 41, has won back the No.1 spot at Hearts.
It’s a stunning comeback by the keeper after suffering a double leg-break two seasons ago.
Gordon, a Celtic Invincible in 2016/17, last played for the Scots in the 2-2 friendly draw with Finland in June in what was expected to be his international farewell.
THE OLD AND THE NEW…Craig Gordon and Vilijami Sinisalo embrace at the end of Scotland’s 2-2 draw with Finland at Hampden in June.
Coincidentally, future Hoops netminder Viljami Sinisalo, who joined the champions in a summer £1million switch from Aston Villa, was in goal for the Finns at Hampden.
Gordon’s inclusion means there is no place for his Tynecastle team-mate Zander Clark.
Boss Clarke, speaking to Sky Sports, explained: “I need three goalkeepers and what better than to bring Craig back.
“He’s the No 1 at Hearts, playing every week. Zander is obviously on the bench, Liam Kelly is on the bench at Rangers and Robby McCrorie is on the bench at Kilmarnock.
“Craig told me after the Finland game that it wasn’t a farewell and he’d see me in the future. He’s lived up to his promise.
“He has always shown he is up for the fight. He wants to play every week and he wants to play as much as he can for his country.”
Clarke has also given first call-ups to defenders Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Liam Lindsay (Preston) and midfielder Andy Irving (West Ham).
NO WAY THROUGH…veteran keeper Craig Gordon denies Finland in what was expected to be his final Scotland appearance.
Out through injury are John McGinn, Scott McKenna and Tommy Conway while the international supremo has overlooked ex-Celt Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson.
The team have lost five and drawn three of their last eight competitive fixtures, including Nations League defeats to Poland in Glasgow and a last-gasp goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in Lisbon.
The Scots are due to play Croatia away on Saturday October 12 and Portugal at Hampden three days later.
SCOTLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Jon McCracken (Dundee);
Defenders:
Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor (CELTIC), Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Liam Lindsay (Preston), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers);
Midfielders:
James Forrest (CELTIC), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Middlesbrough), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (West Ham), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls);
Forwards:
Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham City), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Borussia Dortmund v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
