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 began his career in the Rangers youth system, but limited senior chances prompted a bold move abroad to Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint there, Ure ventured further north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius. In Sweden he flourished, netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances, a strike rate that attracted attention from clubs throughout Europe during the summer transfer window.
His performances earned him a high-profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla, who secured his services for an initial fee of £5.5 million last month. The rapid progression from a Scottish academy prospect to a player in one of Europe's top leagues was 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.
"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," he said. Ure also spoke about his optimism regarding the new manager.
"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 added. The Scotland side under Pocognoli is a markedly different group from the one that featured in Steve Clarke's World Cup squad, with twelve former Clarke players omitted.
Notably, none of the forwards who transferred to clubs in the United States made the list, leaving space for Ure to seize his chance. He emphasized the need for fresh energy and hard work: "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 a friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park scheduled three days later.
Scotland's upcoming itinerary includes a trip to North Macedonia on 3 October, followed by a return to Glasgow for a match against Slovenia on 6 October. The national team is currently competing in the UEFA Nations League, having been relegated from League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and now aiming to regain status in the second tier. Ure described Pocognoli's tactical philosophy: "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 squad list features a mix of domestic and overseas talent.
Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). Defenders range from Luis Binks (Brøndby) and Josh Doig (Sassuolo) to seasoned internationals such as Andy Robertson (Tottenham) and Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb). The midfield boasts Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli) and John McGinn (Aston Villa) among others.
Up front, alongside Ure, the attacking options feature Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Oli McBurnie (Hull City) and James Wilson (Hearts). Ure's inclusion signals a growing willingness by the Scottish FA to look beyond traditional pathways and consider players who have honed their skills in less conventional environments. His journey—from a promising youngster at Ibrox, through the Belgian and Swedish leagues, to a top‑flight Spanish club—illustrates the increasingly global nature of talent development in modern football. If he can translate his club form into international success, Ure could become a model for other Scottish prospects contemplating moves abroad.
Fans can stay updated on squad news, match schedules and analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which provides the latest videos, features and commentary. The upcoming fixtures are: 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. Additional November dates include Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November, both kicking off at 19:45.
For those looking for extra excitement, Sky Sports is also running a Super 6 competition with a £1 million prize, free to enter.