Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world culminated in a selection for Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward’s career trajectory has been anything but ordinary, beginning in the Rangers youth system before a scarcity of senior opportunities prompted a move abroad to Belgian side Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure transferred to Swedish outfit IK Sirius, where he quickly made a name for himself by finding the net 31 times in 50 appearances. His prolific scoring record caught the eye of scouts from across the continent, and during the summer transfer window he secured a move to LaLiga club Sevilla for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million.
The rapid progression from the Scottish academy to Spain’s top flight was rewarded with his first senior call‑up to the Scotland national team. Reflecting on his decision to leave Rangers, Ure told Sky Sports News, “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, noting that many observers assume his recent rise happened over a few weeks, when in reality it has been three years of hard work, relocation, and adaptation to new cultures and playing styles. “It’s been quite a long journey, but it’s been enjoyable,” Ure added. “I did think there would be opportunities with the new manager, and I’m happy to be part of his first training camp.
Hopefully I can show him what I can contribute on the pitch.” Pocognoli’s revamped Scotland side marks a clear departure from the squad that Steve Clarke led to the World Cup. Twelve members of Clarke’s final roster were omitted, and none of the forwards who opted to play in Major League Soccer have been retained. This opens a window for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. “We need to bring fresh energy, hard work, and play the way the new manager wants us to play,” Ure said.
“For the strikers, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more to it. We want as much game time as possible to understand and execute the tactical ideas the coach is trying to implement.” The Pocognoli era 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 match against Slovenia on 6 October.
Scotland’s recent relegation from Nations League A after a playoff loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier of the competition this season. Ure highlighted the new manager’s philosophy, stating, “He wants us to play intelligent football, identify the spaces, stay compact, and many other nuances. It’s early days, but as the next couple of weeks pass, we’ll see more of what he’s trying to convey.” The full Scotland roster for the upcoming fixtures includes: 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 updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, which provides the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and more.
The upcoming international calendar features: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, kickoff 14:00 - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, kickoff 19:45 - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, kickoff 19:45 - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, kickoff 19:45 - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, kickoff 19:45 - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, kickoff 19:45 In addition to the football action, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £1 million. Robbie Ure’s story exemplifies how perseverance, willingness to embrace new challenges, and consistent performance can open doors at the highest level, even when the path diverges from the traditional Scottish route.