With plenty of players ready to move on from Scotland U21s level, everyone from Chelsea to Motherwell will want to stake a claim for the Scotland senior setup.
Another qualification cycle is over for Scott Gemmill’s side as they fall short of U21s Euro’s qualification. Several players will now move on from this group as they exceed the age limit.
Gemmill’s going to lose a raft of talent. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
With a major tournament at senior level to come, we take a look at four players who could make the rise to Steve Clarke’s squad.
Billy Gilmour – Chelsea
The kid on everyone’s lips ahead of next summer’s Euro 2020 tournament, many Scotland fans are eager to know whether the Chelsea talent could make Clarke’s squad.
Scotland’s boss perhaps threw cold water on this last season, saying the Chelsea starlet wasn’t as close to the squad as people thought. This may hold true as Gilmour is still eligible for Gemmill’s team.
The Chelsea kid could feature. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
But after 11 senior appearances in blue, should Gilmour make a successful return from meniscus surgery, he could make himself hard to ignore.
Allan Campbell – Motherwell
The problem for young midfielders is Scotland’s engine room is packed with talent. A few injuries here and there though and Clarke could be calling upon another Well star.
Stephen Robinson has backed his tenacious battler to make the Euro 2020 squad and no wonder.
Campbell is thriving. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Campbell is the fourth on a list of record appearance holders at U21s level and has been Motherwell’s unsung hero for several campaigns now.
Fraser Hornby – Stade De Reims
Hornby, like Campbell, will graduate from the Scotland U21s setup now as he hits 22 before the next qualification cycle commences. Scotland perhaps have places up top now at senior level.
Only Lyndon Dykes has really shone in recent internationals, Oli McBurnie, Calum Patterson and Lawrence Shankland not doing all that much to make strides into Clarke’s XI.
Currently at Stade De Reims in France, if the recently-crowned record goalscorer at U21s level can get firing in Ligue 1, Clarke could come calling.
Ryan Porteous – Hibs
Porteous has been involved in a couple of squads at senior level but is still waiting for his big break. Given how domestic defenders have fared in Clarke’s team, Porteous must fancy his Euro 2020 chances.
He’s watched Hibs teammate Paul Hanlon make his debut, whilst Declan Gallagher and Andy Considine have won praise for their efforts.
A potential candidate. (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Porteous has time on his side and getting tournament experience for the next generation could be on Clarke’s mind.