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’s story begins in the Rangers youth system, where limited first‑team chances prompted him to seek opportunities abroad. In 2023 he transferred to Belgian giants Anderlecht, a move he later described as a necessary stepping stone before taking the next leap in his development.
After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured north to Sweden, signing for IK Sirius. It was there that he truly began to turn heads, netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances. His prolific scoring record attracted interest from clubs across the continent, and during the summer transfer window he secured a move to LaLiga side Sevilla for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million. The rapid progression from the Scottish academy 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 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 unusual for a Scottish player, noting that many observers assume his recent high‑profile move is a brand‑new phenomenon. In reality, Ure emphasized, he has spent three years working hard, relocating to different countries and chasing the chance to play at a higher level.
“It’s been quite a long journey, but it’s been enjoyable,” he added. “I did think there would be opportunities with the new manager, and I’m happy to be part of his first training camp.
Hopefully I can show him what I can do on the pitch.” 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 opted for a stint in Major League Soccer made the cut, leaving space for Ure to stake his claim. “We need to bring fresh energy, hard work and play the way the new boss wants us to play,” Ure said. “For the strikers, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more than that.
We’re trying to gather as much information and game time as possible to fully implement the new manager’s philosophy.” The new era under Pocognoli officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a friendly against Switzerland scheduled at Hampden Park three days later. Following that, the squad will travel to North Macedonia on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for a second fixture against Slovenia on 6 October. Scotland’s recent demotion from Nations League A after a playoff loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier of this year’s competition.
Ure also commented on the tactical vision of the new coach: “He wants us to play smart football, identify where the spaces are, stay compact and execute a number of other ideas. It’s early days, but as the weeks go by you’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 include 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 a return clash with Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45.
Later in the year, Scotland will meet North Macedonia again on 13 November and face Switzerland on 16 November, both kick‑offs set for 19:45. The article concludes with a promotional note encouraging readers to enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available.