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 development within the Rangers youth system, but limited opportunities in the senior side prompted a bold move abroad to Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2023.
After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured further north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius where he demonstrated an impressive scoring record, netting 31 goals in 50 appearances. His prolific form attracted interest from a range of clubs across the continent during the summer transfer window. 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 rapid progression from the Scottish academy to one of Spain's top clubs has now been rewarded with his first senior call‑up for the Scotland national team, a milestone that Ure says validates the risks he took early in his career. "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," Ure told Sky Sports News.
"Looking back now, it's clear that it was the right decision to make. 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 and moving to different countries and trying to get that opportunity. It's been quite long but it's been enjoyable. 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." 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 transferred to Major League Soccer feature in the new list, leaving space for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. "We need to bring a fresh energy, hard work as well and try and play how the new gaffer wants us to play," Ure added. "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 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 relegation from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier of this year's competition, adding extra motivation for the revamped group.
Pocognoli has emphasized a philosophy of intelligent football, urging players to identify and exploit spaces while maintaining close cohesion on the field. "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," Ure observed. The full squad list features a mix of established internationals and emerging talents.
Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line comprises 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).
In midfield, Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) have been selected. The attacking contingent lists Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts).
Ure's inclusion signals the coaching staff's belief that his experience in Spain's top flight, combined with his proven goal‑scoring instincts, could add a new dimension to Scotland's forward line. Fans can stay updated on squad news, match previews and post‑game analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, where the outlet provides a steady stream of videos, features and expert commentary. Upcoming fixtures include Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 2 pm, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 7.45 pm, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 7.45 pm, and a return clash with Slovenia on 6 October at 7.45 pm. Later in the year, the team will face North Macedonia again on 13 November and Switzerland on 16 November, both kick‑offs set for 7.45 pm.
Beyond the on‑field action, supporters have the chance to participate in a promotional Super 6 competition, offering a free entry for a chance to win £1 million. This engagement aims to keep the fan base energized as the national side embarks on a fresh chapter under Pocognoli's guidance, with Robbie Ure eager to prove that his unconventional route can indeed lead to success on the international stage.