Robbie Ure expressed great enthusiasm after his atypical journey through the football world earned him a place in Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward began his career in the Rangers youth system, but limited chances in the senior side prompted a move abroad to Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure transferred to Swedish side IK Sirius, where he rediscovered his scoring touch, netting 31 goals in 50 appearances.
His prolific form attracted attention from clubs throughout Europe during the summer transfer window. In early September, Ure completed a move to LaLiga club Sevilla for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million. The rapid progression from the Scottish academy to a top‑flight Spanish team has now been rewarded with his first senior call‑up for the Scotland national team. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ure reflected on his decision to leave Rangers: “At Rangers I didn’t feel I could progress any further, so I needed an intermediate step, and Anderlecht gave me that opportunity.” He added that, in hindsight, the choice proved to be the right one.
“It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route. Many people think this only happened in the last few weeks, but for me it’s been three years of hard work, moving between countries and chasing the chance to play at a higher level.” Ure acknowledged the unconventional nature of his career path, noting that it required patience and adaptability.
“It’s been a long journey, but an enjoyable one,” he said. “I did expect there would be opportunities under the new manager, and I’m delighted to be part of his first training camp. I hope I can demonstrate what I’m capable of on the pitch.” Pocognoli’s Scotland side represents a significant overhaul, with twelve players from Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending roster omitted. Notably, none of the forwards who have moved to Major League Soccer are included, leaving a clear opening for Ure to stake his claim.
“The new manager wants fresh energy, hard work, and a style that reflects his footballing philosophy,” Ure explained. “For a striker, the primary goal is to score, but there’s more to it.
We’re trying to absorb as much tactical information as possible and translate that into our performances on the field.” The Pocognoli era officially kicks off with a training camp in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a home match against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. After that, the squad will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a fixture against Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent relegation from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier of this year’s competition, adding extra motivation for the revamped group. Ure also commented on the tactical expectations under Pocognoli: “He wants us to play intelligent football, to identify space, stay compact, and execute a range of other ideas.
It’s still early, but as the weeks progress we’ll see more of what he’s trying to implement.” The full squad list includes: Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City). Defenders: Luis Binks (Brøndby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts). Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more.
Upcoming fixtures are: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 GMT - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 GMT - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 GMT - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 GMT Supporters are also invited to join the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million – entry is free. Robbie Ure’s story underscores how perseverance, willingness to embrace new cultures, and a clear focus on development can open doors to the international stage, even when the route taken diverges from the traditional Scottish pathway.