Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world earned him a spot in Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad. The 22‑year‑old forward began his development within the Rangers youth system, but limited chances to break into the senior side prompted a decisive move abroad.
In 2023 he signed for Belgian giants Anderlecht, seeking regular first‑team football and a platform to showcase his abilities. After a brief stint in Belgium, Ure ventured north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius. There, he flourished, finding the net 31 times in just 50 appearances – a strike rate that attracted interest from clubs across the continent during the summer transfer window. His prolific form convinced LaLiga side Sevilla to secure his services for an initial fee of £5.5 million last month.
The rapid ascent from a Scottish academy prospect to a player in one of Europe’s top leagues culminated in his first senior call‑up for the national team. Reflecting on his decisions, Ure told Sky Sports News, “At Rangers I didn’t feel I could progress any further, so I needed a stepping‑stone before the next big step, and Anderlecht provided that.” He added that, looking back, the choice was clearly the right one. “It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route,” he noted, emphasizing that his journey has spanned three years of hard work, relocation, and adaptation rather than a sudden, four‑week miracle.
Ure acknowledged the patience required, saying, “It’s been a long road, but it’s been enjoyable.” He also expressed optimism about working under the new manager, stating, “I thought there would be opportunities with the new gaffer. I’m happy to be part of his first training camp and hope I can prove what I can contribute.” 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 moved to Major League Soccer made the list, opening a door for Ure to stake his claim.
“We need fresh energy, hard work, and a willingness to play the way the new manager wants us to,” Ure explained. “For the attackers, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more to it – we want as much game time and tactical insight as possible to embed the new philosophy.” The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a home fixture against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The squad will then travel to North Macedonia on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for a second meeting with 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 this season. Ure highlighted the manager’s tactical vision: “He wants us to play intelligent football, identify the spaces, stay compact, and many other nuances.
It’s early days, but as the weeks progress you’ll see more of what he’s trying to implement.” 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, analysis, and more.
Upcoming fixtures are: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 The Scottish Football Association also encourages supporters to engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available online.