Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world culminated in a place on Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who originally honed his skills within the Rangers youth system, found his progress stalled by limited senior opportunities, prompting a bold move abroad to Belgian side Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured north to Sweden, signing for IK Sirius. It was there that he truly began to shine, netting an impressive 31 goals across 50 appearances.
His prolific scoring record quickly attracted interest from clubs throughout Europe, and the summer transfer window saw him secure a move to Spanish LaLiga outfit Sevilla for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million. Ure’s rapid ascent did not go unnoticed by the national team hierarchy.
The striker was handed his first senior call‑up to represent Scotland, a milestone he described as the reward for years of hard work and perseverance. "At Rangers I didn’t believe I could go further and I needed a step before the step, and Anderlecht was able to give me that," he told Sky Sports News. "Looking back now, it’s clear that it was the right decision to make." He acknowledged that his route is far from conventional for a Scottish player.
"It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route. A lot of people think it’s only happened in the last four weeks, but for me it’s been three years of working hard, moving to different countries and trying to get that opportunity. It’s been quite a long journey, but it’s been enjoyable," Ure added.
Ure also reflected on the managerial change at the national level. He had hoped the new manager would provide fresh opportunities, and he was eager to prove his worth at Pocognoli’s first training camp. "I did think there would be opportunities with the new gaffer. I’m happy to be involved in his first camp and hopefully I can show him what I can do," he said.
Pocognoli’s Scotland side represents a significant overhaul, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending roster omitted. Notably, none of the forwards who transferred to clubs in the United States earned a place, leaving a clear opening for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options.
The young striker emphasized the need for a new energy and a strong work ethic under the new coach. "We need to bring fresh energy, hard work as well and try to play how the new gaffer wants us to play," he explained. "For the strikers, the obvious one is we want to score goals. But there’s more than that, and we’re trying to get as much information and time on the pitch as we can to really implement how the new gaffer wants us to play." Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins with a training session in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a high‑profile friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The squad will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second fixture against Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent international record includes a demotion from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece, meaning the team will compete in the second tier of this year’s competition.
Ure believes the new manager’s philosophy will focus on intelligent, space‑creating football. "He wants us to play smart football, identify where the spaces are and be close together as well and a lot more things. It’s early, and I think as this week and next week go by you’ll probably be able to see a little bit more of what he’s trying to get across," Ure said. The full squad list features a blend of domestic and overseas talent: 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 Hotspur), 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, videos, analysis and more. Upcoming fixtures include: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, kick‑off 14:00 - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, kick‑off 19:45 - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, kick‑off 19:45 - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, kick‑off 19:45 - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, kick‑off 19:45 - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, kick‑off 19:45 Supporters are also invited to take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available online.