Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the footballing ranks culminated in a selection for Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who began his development within the Rangers youth system, found his progression stalled by limited first‑team chances, prompting a bold move abroad to Belgian side Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured further north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius.
It was there that he truly announced his arrival on the European stage, netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances. His prolific scoring record caught the eye of numerous clubs across the continent during the summer transfer window, ultimately leading to a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga outfit Sevilla. The Andalusian club paid an initial fee of £5.5 million for the young striker, a testament to his rapid ascent.
Ure’s meteoric rise did not go unnoticed by the national team selectors. He received his first senior call‑up to represent Scotland, a milestone he described as the reward for years of hard work and perseverance. "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," he told Sky Sports News. Reflecting on his decisions, he added, "Looking back now, it’s clear that it was the right decision to make." He acknowledged that his route is far from typical for a Scottish player.
"It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route. 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, moving to different countries and trying to get that opportunity. It’s been quite a long journey, but it’s been enjoyable," Ure explained.
He also expressed optimism about working under the new manager, hoping to demonstrate his abilities at the upcoming training camp. Pocognoli’s Scotland represents a fresh start, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad omitted from the new list.
Notably, none of the forwards who transferred to Major League Soccer are included, opening the door for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. "We need to bring fresh energy, hard work and play the way the new gaffer wants us to play," he said.
"For the strikers, the obvious aim is to score goals, but there’s more than that. 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 with a training camp in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The squad will then 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 play‑off loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier of this year’s competition. Ure highlighted the tactical philosophy he expects under Pocognoli: "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." Below is the full Scotland squad announced for the upcoming internationals: 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 Hotspur), 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 up‑to‑date with the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp. 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. Additional matches later in the year feature Scotland against North Macedonia on 13 November and Switzerland on 16 November, both kicking off at 19:45.
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