Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the footballing world culminated in a place on Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward, who initially honed his skills within the Rangers youth system, found his progress stalled by limited first‑team chances. Seeking regular senior football, he made the bold decision to leave Scotland for Belgium in 2023, signing with Anderlecht.
Ure later ventured north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius, where he enjoyed a prolific spell, netting 31 goals in 50 appearances. His scoring exploits attracted interest from clubs across the continent, and in the summer he secured a move to LaLiga side Sevilla for an initial fee of £5.5 million. The swift ascent from the Scottish academy to a top‑flight Spanish club has now been rewarded with his maiden senior call‑up for the national team. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ure reflected on his career choices: “At Rangers I didn’t feel there was a clear path for me to advance, so I needed an intermediate step.
Anderlecht offered that platform, and looking back it was the right move.” He acknowledged that his route is unusual for a Scottish player. “People often think this kind of move has only happened recently, but for me it’s been three years of hard work, living in different countries and chasing the chance to play at a higher level.” He added that, although the journey has been lengthy, it has also been enjoyable and enriching. Ure also commented on his expectations under the new manager. “I hoped there would be opportunities with the new gaffer, and I’m delighted to be part of his first training camp.
I aim to show him what I can contribute on the pitch.” The Pocognoli‑led Scotland side represents a significant overhaul, with twelve players from Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad omitted. Notably, none of the forwards who moved to Major League Soccer made the list, leaving space for Ure to seize his opportunity. “We need fresh energy, a strong work ethic and a willingness to adapt to the style the new manager wants,” Ure explained.
“For strikers, the primary goal is to score, but there’s more to it. We want to gather as much information and playing time as possible to fully implement the coach’s vision.” The upcoming international fixtures will serve as a testing ground for Pocognoli’s ideas. The manager’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a home match against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. Scotland will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6.
Scotland’s recent performance in the Nations League saw them relegated from League A after a play‑off loss to Greece, meaning they will compete in the second tier for this season’s competition. Ure believes the new coach wants a more intelligent, space‑aware approach. “He wants us to play smart football, identify gaps, stay compact, and incorporate many other tactical nuances.
It’s still early, but as the weeks progress we’ll see more of what he’s trying to instill.” The full squad list 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), 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 via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, analysis and more. The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: 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, Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November at 19:45.
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