Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world culminated in a selection for Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who originally honed his skills within the Rangers youth system, found his pathway to senior international football far from straightforward. Limited first‑team chances at Ibrox prompted a bold move abroad in 2023, when he signed for Belgian giants Anderlecht in search of regular playing time and development opportunities. After a season in Belgium, Ure’s career took another turn when he joined Swedish side IK Sirius.
It was there that his goal‑scoring prowess truly shone, as he netted 31 times in just 50 appearances. Such an impressive strike rate caught the attention of scouts across the continent, and during the summer transfer window he became a coveted target for clubs eager to add a young, hungry attacker to their ranks. In early September, Ure completed a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga club Sevilla, with the Andalusian side paying an initial £5.5 million for his services. The move represented a rapid ascent from the Scottish youth ranks to one of Europe’s top leagues, and it was swiftly rewarded with his first senior call‑up for Scotland.
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 a stepping‑stone before taking the next big step. Anderlecht gave me that platform.” He added that, in hindsight, the choice proved decisive: “Looking back, it’s clear it was the right move.” He acknowledged that his route is unusual for a Scottish player.
“People often think this kind of path has 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,” he said. “It’s been a long journey, but an enjoyable one.” Ure also hinted at his optimism regarding the new national team manager. “I expected there would be opportunities with the new boss, and I’m delighted to be part of his first training camp. I hope I can show him what I’m capable of on the pitch.” Pocognoli’s first‑ever Scotland squad marks a significant overhaul, with twelve players from Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending roster omitted.
Notably, none of the forwards who transferred to Major League Soccer are included, leaving space for Ure to make his mark. “The aim is to inject fresh energy and a strong work ethic, and to play the way the new manager wants us to,” Ure explained.
“For a striker, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more to it. We want to gather as much information as possible and get ample minutes on the field to fully implement the coach’s vision.” The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park scheduled three days later.
After that, the squad will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second 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 to prove themselves. Ure described Pocognoli’s tactical philosophy: “He wants us to play intelligent football, to identify spaces, stay compact, and incorporate many other nuances.
It’s early days, but as the next couple of weeks pass, we’ll start to 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, videos, analysis and more. Upcoming fixtures include: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 Additionally, supporters are invited to participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available.