Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his unconventional journey through the football world culminated in a call‑up to manager Sébastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who originally honed his skills in the Rangers youth system, found his path to senior international football far from the traditional route taken by most Scottish players.
Ure’s early development at Rangers was promising, yet he struggled to break into the first‑team lineup. Recognizing the need for regular senior minutes, he made the bold decision to leave Scotland in 2023 and sign for Belgian giants Anderlecht. The move to Brussels provided the crucial stepping stone he described as "the step before the step," allowing him to experience a higher level of competition and gain the confidence that had been missing at Ibrox.
After a season in Belgium, Ure ventured north‑east to Sweden, joining IK Sirius. It was there that his goal‑scoring instincts truly blossomed; he netted an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances. Such a prolific record did not go unnoticed, and during the summer transfer window clubs from across Europe began to circle, eager to add his attacking prowess to their ranks.
In a significant career milestone, Ure completed a move to La Liga side Sevilla in early September, with the Andalusian club paying an initial fee of £5.5 million for the young striker. The transfer not only signalled his arrival on one of the continent’s biggest stages but also acted as a catalyst for his first senior international call‑up. The invitation to join Scotland’s squad for the upcoming fixtures marks a historic moment for Ure, who has spent the last three years traversing different football cultures in pursuit of his dream. 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 atypical for a Scottish player, noting that many observers assume his recent success is a product of the last few weeks, when in reality it is the culmination of three years of hard work, adaptation to new environments, and relentless ambition. Ure also expressed optimism about working under Pocognoli, who has assembled a markedly different squad from his predecessor Steve Clarke. "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.
The new Scotland manager has already made sweeping changes, leaving out twelve players from Clarke’s World Cup‑ending roster and excluding all the forwards who moved to Major League Soccer. This overhaul opens the door for fresh talent like Ure to stake a claim. The young striker emphasized the importance of energy, work ethic, and adaptability in the new setup. "We need to bring a fresh energy, hard work as well and try and play how the new gaffer wants us to play," he explained.
While scoring goals remains the primary objective for any forward, Ure stressed that the team’s broader aim is to absorb the manager’s tactical instructions and translate them into on‑field performance. "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," he added.
Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a friendly against Switzerland scheduled at Hampden Park three days later. Scotland’s itinerary continues with a trip to North Macedonia on 3 October, followed by a home fixture against Slovenia on 6 October.
The national side is eager to rebound after being relegated from Nations League A following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, and will now compete in the second tier of the competition. Ure highlighted the strategic vision 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 emphasis on intelligent movement, compactness, and exploiting gaps aligns with the modern, possession‑based style that many European clubs now employ. The full Scotland squad announced by Pocognoli includes a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging prospects.
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Ure’s inclusion not only validates his personal journey but also signals a broader shift in Scottish football, where talent development is increasingly global and players are encouraged to seek opportunities abroad. As he prepares for his debut camp, Ure remains focused on translating his club form into international success, hoping to add his name to the list of Scottish forwards who have made an impact on the world stage.
The upcoming fixtures—Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September (2 pm), Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September (7.45 pm), North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October (7.45 pm), Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October (7.45 pm), Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November (7.45 pm) and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November (7.45 pm)—will provide Ure and his teammates ample opportunity to showcase the new manager’s philosophy and to earn points in the Nations League. Fans can stay updated on the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, ensuring they never miss a moment of Scotland’s evolving journey under Pocognoli’s leadership.