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 rose through 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 transferred to Swedish outfit IK Sirius, where he quickly made a name for himself by netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances. His prolific scoring record attracted interest from clubs throughout Europe during the summer transfer window.
Ultimately, he secured a move to LaLiga club Sevilla, signing for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million last month. This rapid ascent has now been rewarded with his first senior call‑up for the Scotland national team.
Reflecting on his decisions, Ure told Sky Sports News, "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. Looking back now, it's clear that it was the right decision to make." He acknowledged that his route is somewhat unusual for a Scottish player, noting, "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 and moving to different countries and trying to get that opportunity. It's been quite long but it's been enjoyable." Ure also spoke about his hopes under the new manager, stating, "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." The appointment of Pocognoli marks a significant shift for Scotland, as twelve members of Steve Clarke's World Cup‑ending squad have been omitted. Notably, none of the forwards who ventured to Major League Soccer are included, leaving space for Ure to make his mark.
He added, "We need to bring a fresh energy, hard work as well and try and play how the new gaffer wants us to play. 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." The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, with Scotland set to face Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The schedule continues with a trip to North Macedonia on 3 October, followed by a home fixture against Slovenia on 6 October.
Scotland, having been relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year, will now compete in the second tier of this year's competition. Ure highlighted the tactical philosophy of the new manager: "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." The full squad announced by Pocognoli includes a mix of established internationals and emerging talent. Goalkeepers are Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line features Luis Binks (Brondby), 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, Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) have been selected.
Up front, Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts) complete the attacking options. Ure's inclusion underscores the growing trend of Scottish players seeking development outside the traditional domestic pathway, embracing experiences in Belgium, Sweden and now Spain to sharpen their skills. His story serves as an example for young prospects who may feel confined by limited opportunities at home, illustrating that perseverance and willingness to adapt can lead to national recognition. Fans can stay updated on squad news, match fixtures and analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which provides the latest sports headlines, video highlights, in‑depth features and expert commentary.
Upcoming fixtures include Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 2 pm, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 7.45 pm, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 7.45 pm, and Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 7.45 pm, with additional November dates against North Macedonia and Switzerland later in the month. As the new era unfolds, Ure remains focused on contributing his goal‑scoring instincts and work ethic to help Scotland reclaim a stronger position in international football, while also aiming to cement his place at Sevilla and continue his upward trajectory in one of Europe's top leagues.