Robbie Ure can hardly contain his excitement after his atypical journey through the football world has culminated in a place on Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who began his development in the Rangers youth system, found his progression stalled by a shortage of senior minutes and consequently made the bold decision to leave Scotland for Belgium in 2023, signing for Anderlecht. Ure’s time in Brussels proved to be a crucial stepping stone, but it was his subsequent move to Sweden that truly ignited his reputation.
While turning out for IK Sirius, the Scottish striker displayed an impressive scoring record, finding the back of the net 31 times in just 50 appearances. Those numbers caught the eye of scouts across the continent, and by the summer he was being linked with a host of clubs eager to add his goal‑scoring instincts to their rosters.
In early September, Ure completed a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga outfit Sevilla, with the Andalusian side paying an initial fee of £5.5 million for his services. The move to Spain’s top flight represents a rapid ascent for a player who, only a few years ago, was battling for game time in the Scottish lower leagues.
The swift progression has now been rewarded with a senior international call‑up, marking Ure’s first involvement with the Scotland national team. Reflecting on his career choices, Ure told Sky Sports News, “At Rangers I didn’t believe I could go any further, and I needed a step before the next step. Anderlecht gave me that platform.” He added that, looking back, the decision to leave Scotland was undeniably the right one.
“It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route,” he said, noting that many observers assume his overseas adventure began only a few weeks ago, when in reality it has been a three‑year odyssey of hard work, relocation, and relentless pursuit of opportunity. “It’s been a long road, but it’s also been an enjoyable one.” Ure also expressed optimism about working under the new manager, stating, “I did think there would be opportunities with the new gaffer.
I’m happy to be part of his first training camp and hope I can show him what I can contribute.” The appointment of Sebastien Pocognoli has ushered in a fresh look for Scotland, with twelve players from Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad omitted from the latest list. Notably, none of the forwards who moved to Major League Soccer are included, leaving space for Ure to seize his chance. The young striker emphasized the need for renewed energy and a strong work ethic, saying, “We need to bring fresh energy, work hard, and try to play the way the new manager wants us to play.” He highlighted the primary goal for any striker – scoring goals – but also stressed the broader tactical objectives, adding, “There’s more than just finding the net; we want to gather as much information and playing time as possible to fully implement the manager’s vision.” Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a friendly against Switzerland scheduled 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 the competition this year. Ure described Pocognoli’s football philosophy as “smart football – identifying spaces, staying compact, and a host of other nuances.” He believes the team will gradually understand the new manager’s ideas as the weeks progress.
The full Scotland roster includes a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents. 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). Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, analysis and more. Upcoming fixtures include Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September (kick‑off 14:00), Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September (19:45), North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October (19:45), Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October (19:45), Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November (19:45) and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November (19:45). Additionally, a Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants.