Robbie Ure expressed genuine excitement after his atypical journey through the football world culminated in a place on manager Sebastien Pocognoli's inaugural Scotland roster. The 22‑year‑old forward, a product of the Rangers youth system, found his progress stalled by limited senior opportunities at the Glasgow club, prompting a decisive move abroad in 2023. He signed for Belgian giants Anderlecht, a step he describes as the "step before the step," which offered him the regular playing time he needed to develop. After a season in Belgium, Ure ventured further north to Sweden, joining IK Sirius.
It was there that his goal‑scoring instincts truly shone, as he netted 31 times in just 50 appearances. That impressive strike rate attracted interest from several European sides during the summer transfer window, and the young striker eventually secured a move to LaLiga outfit Sevilla for an initial fee of £5.5 million. Ure's rapid ascent did not go unnoticed by the Scottish national team selectors. His performances in Spain earned him a maiden senior call‑up, marking a significant milestone 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," he explained to Sky Sports News. Reflecting on his decisions, he added, "Looking back now, it's clear that it was the right decision to make." He acknowledged that his route is somewhat unusual for a Scottish player. "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," Ure said. Ure also voiced optimism about the new coaching regime.
"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," he noted, eager to impress Pocognoli and stake a claim for future selections. Pocognoli's Scotland side represents a substantial overhaul from the previous era under Steve Clarke. Twelve members of Clarke's World Cup‑ending squad were omitted, and none of the forwards who opted for a stint in Major League Soccer made the list.
This creates a clear opening for Ure and other emerging attackers to make their mark. "We need to bring a fresh energy, hard work as well and try and play how the new gaffer wants us to play," Ure emphasized.
"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 with a training camp in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a high‑profile friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. After 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 the team will compete in the second tier of the competition this year, adding further incentive to rebuild and perform.
Ure highlighted the tactical philosophy he expects under Pocognoli: "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." The full squad list showcases a blend of domestic and overseas talent: 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 up‑to‑date via Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel, which provides the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more. Upcoming fixtures include: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 GMT - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 GMT - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 GMT - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 GMT Supporters are also invited to join the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available through the official platform.