Uncapped Liverpool winger Ben Doak was the unexpected inclusion in Steve Clarke's provisional Scotland squad for Euro 2024, announced on Wednesday.
Despite not playing since December due to a knee injury, Clarke has turned to Doak amidst a spate of injuries, ruling out several key players for the tournament. The 18-year-old, who made a notable impact for Liverpool during the 2022–23 season, managed only five appearances this season before suffering a meniscus tear.
First-choice right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson are both sidelined, alongside Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, the Serie A midfielder of the year. In their absence, Bristol City's Ross McCrorie, who has yet to make his international debut, has been called up as a potential right-back.
Celtic's James Forrest, who ended the season strongly, receives his first Scotland call-up in three years.
Key players like Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, Aston Villa captain John McGinn, and Manchester United's Scott McTominay are all included in the 28-player squad, which will be trimmed to 26 before the tournament in Germany.
Scotland will face the hosts in the opening match, followed by games against Switzerland and Hungary in Group A. Clarke’s team will play warm-up friendlies against Gibraltar on June 3 and Finland four days later.
This marks only the second time in 26 years that Scotland has qualified for a major tournament, having never progressed to the knockout stage in previous European Championships or World Cups.
"We have to be the team that creates history," Robertson told Sky Sports. "Getting out of the group has to be our aim. It's a tough group, but we believe we can give any team a game."
