Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement that his atypical journey through the football world has culminated in a place on Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland roster. The 22‑year‑old forward, who originally progressed through the Rangers youth system, found his pathway to senior football blocked by limited first‑team chances. Seeking regular playing time, he transferred to Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2023, a move he later described as a necessary stepping stone before taking the next leap in his career. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured north to Sweden, signing for IK Sirius.
It was there that he truly began to attract attention, netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances. His prolific scoring record turned him into a hot commodity, with clubs from across the continent expressing interest during the summer transfer window. Ultimately, he secured a move to LaLiga side Sevilla, joining the Spanish outfit for an initial fee of £5.5 million last month. The rapid progression from the Scottish youth ranks to one of Europe’s top leagues 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 believe I could go any further, and I needed a step before the next step. Anderlecht gave me that opportunity.” He added that, in hindsight, the move was unquestionably the right one. “It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route,” he noted, highlighting how few of his compatriots have pursued a similar trajectory. While some observers might think his journey only began in the past few weeks, Ure emphasized that it has actually been three years of hard work, relocation, and perseverance across different football cultures.
Ure also spoke about his optimism regarding the new Scotland manager. “I thought there would be opportunities with the new gaffer. I’m delighted to be part of his first training camp and hope I can demonstrate what I can contribute,” he said. The Pocognoli‑led side represents a significant overhaul, with twelve players from Steve Clarke’s final World Cup squad omitted.
Notably, none of the forwards who moved to Major League Soccer made the cut, opening the door for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. He outlined the qualities he believes the new management team is seeking: “We need to inject fresh energy, work hard, and play the way the new manager wants us to play.” Regarding the striker’s role, Ure explained, “Obviously we want to score goals, but there’s more to it.
We’re trying to gather as much information and playing time as possible to fully implement the coach’s vision.” The upcoming fixtures will provide the first real test of Pocognoli’s ideas. The manager’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a home match against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. Scotland’s schedule continues with a trip to North Macedonia on October 3, before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. The national side is currently rebuilding after being relegated from Nations League A following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, meaning they will compete in the second tier of this year’s competition.
Ure also commented on the tactical direction under Pocognoli: “He wants us to play intelligent football, to spot the spaces and stay compact, among many other things. It’s early days, but as the weeks go by you’ll start to see more of what he’s trying to instill.” The full Scotland squad announced for the upcoming internationals includes a mix of domestic and overseas talent. Goalkeepers selected are Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line features 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
In midfield, the roster lists Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). The attacking contingent comprises Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Fans can stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more. The upcoming fixtures are slated as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 19:45, and Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45.
Later in the year, Scotland will face North Macedonia again on 13 November at 19:45, followed by a clash with Switzerland on 16 November at 19:45. Additionally, supporters are encouraged to try the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available.