Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world culminated in a maiden selection for Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward’s career trajectory has been anything but ordinary, beginning in the youth ranks of Rangers before a scarcity of senior opportunities prompted a bold move abroad to Belgium’s Anderlecht in 2023. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured north to Sweden, signing for IK Sirius. It was there that he truly began to attract attention, netting an impressive 31 goals in just 50 appearances.
His prolific scoring record turned him into a hot prospect for clubs across the continent during the summer transfer window. In early September, Sevilla, a prominent LaLiga side, secured his services for an initial fee reported to be around £5.5 million.
The transfer marked a rapid ascent for the young striker, and the move was swiftly followed by his first senior call‑up to represent Scotland at the international level. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ure reflected on his decision to leave Rangers: “At Rangers I didn’t feel there was a clear pathway for me to progress, so I needed a stepping‑stone before taking the next big step.
Anderlecht offered that platform.” He added that, in hindsight, the choice was unquestionably the right one. “It may look unusual for a Scottish player to take this route, but for me it’s been three years of hard work, moving between countries and constantly chasing the chance to prove myself. It’s been a long journey, but an enjoyable one.” Ure also commented on his optimism regarding the new manager’s plans.
“I expected there would be opportunities under the new gaffer, and I’m delighted to be part of his first training camp. I hope I can demonstrate what I’m capable of on the pitch.” Pocognoli’s revamped Scotland side features a substantial overhaul, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad omitted. Notably, none of the forwards who migrated to Major League Soccer have been retained, opening a door for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. “We need fresh energy, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to adapt to the style the new manager wants us to play,” Ure explained.
“For strikers, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more to it. We’re focused on gathering as much tactical insight and match time as possible to fully embody the coach’s vision.” The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, with Scotland slated to face Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. Following that, the team will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6.
Scotland’s recent demotion from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they will compete in the second tier for this season’s competition. Ure highlighted the manager’s tactical expectations: “He wants us to play intelligent football, identify and exploit spaces, stay compact, and adhere to many other nuances. It’s still early, but as the weeks progress we’ll see more of his philosophy in action.” 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, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more.
Upcoming fixtures are 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, and Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45. Additional matches later in the year include Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November, both kicking off at 19:45.
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