In a surprising move, Liverpool’s 18-year-old Ben Doak has been named in Steve Clarke’s provisional Scotland squad for Euro 2024. Despite not having started a Premier League match and only recently resuming training after a knee operation, Doak’s inclusion highlights Clarke’s belief in the young talent’s potential.
Celtic winger James Forrest makes a return nearly three years after his last international appearance, while uncapped Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie also features in the 28-man list, which must be reduced to 26 by June 7.
The squad retains four goalkeepers, including veteran Craig Gordon, with one expected to be cut. Scotland will prepare with friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland before opening their tournament against hosts Germany on June 14. Their other Group A opponents include Switzerland and Hungary.
Seventeen players in Clarke’s selection were part of the delayed Euro 2020 squad. McCrorie, 26, who has been a regular at Bristol City after recovering from injury, and Doak, with two goals in six Under-21 outings, bring fresh energy to the team.
Injuries have hit the squad, with Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, and Lewis Ferguson out, while there are fitness concerns over Doak, Grant Hanley, Stuart Armstrong, and Ryan Jack. Armstrong and Hanley have faced recent injury setbacks, and Jack has been out since early March.
Limited game time has also been an issue for several players, including Doak, Hanley, and Jack. Celtic’s Anthony Ralston and Leeds’ Liam Cooper have had few starts, while Gordon, despite being a crucial squad member, has played only seven matches since his leg injury in December 2022. Forrest, however, has shown late-season form with three goals and an assist in post-split Premiership matches.
The squad boasts goal-scoring midfielders like John McGinn, who has 18 goals from 64 caps, and Scott McTominay, who scored seven in qualifying. Forward Che Adams aims to end his 10-game international goal drought, while Lawrence Shankland, fresh from a 31-goal season, adds firepower.
Steve Clarke’s decision to include Doak reflects his search for fresh options despite the squad’s injury woes. With established players bolstering the team, Scotland aims to make a strong impact at Euro 2024.
Provisional Scotland squad:
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Ben Doak (Liverpool), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), James Forrest (Celtic), Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian)