Robbie Ure can hardly contain his excitement after his atypical journey through the footballing world has culminated in a debut call‑up to the Scotland senior squad under new manager Sébastien Pocognoli. The 22‑year‑old forward’s career has been anything but linear, beginning in the Rangers youth system before a dearth of first‑team chances prompted a bold move abroad to Belgium’s Anderlecht in 2023.
After a productive stint in Sweden with IK Sirius – where he found the net 31 times in 50 appearances – Ure attracted interest from several European clubs during the summer transfer window. He ultimately signed for Spanish LaLiga side Sevilla for an initial fee of £5.5 million last month, a transfer that has now been rewarded with his inaugural senior international invitation.
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, "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, moving to different countries and trying to get that opportunity. It’s been quite a long road, but it’s been enjoyable." Ure also expressed optimism about working with Pocognoli, saying, "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." The new Scotland manager has overhauled the squad, leaving out 12 members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending roster and excluding all the forwards who opted to play in Major League Soccer. This creates a clear opening for Ure, who hopes to seize the chance and prove his worth at the highest level. "We need to bring fresh energy, hard work and play the way the new manager wants us to play," Ure added. "For the strikers, the obvious goal is to score, but there’s more than that.
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." Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a friendly against Switzerland scheduled 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 they will compete in the second tier of the competition this season. The manager’s philosophy, as described by Ure, centres on intelligent, space‑aware football: "He wants us to play smart football, identify where the spaces are and be close together as well as 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 Scotland roster for the upcoming internationals is as follows: 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). Ure’s inclusion signals a shift toward rewarding players who have proven themselves outside the traditional British pathways. His success in Sweden, where he consistently delivered a goal‑every‑1.6 games, demonstrated that perseverance and adaptability can translate into tangible results.
By joining Sevilla, he has entered one of Europe’s most technically demanding leagues, a move that should further sharpen his attacking instincts and tactical awareness. Looking ahead, Ure hopes to make an immediate impact in the upcoming friendlies, using the platform to cement his place in the squad and potentially earn a spot in competitive fixtures such as the Nations League and future Euro qualifiers. "I’m ready to work hard, learn from the coaches and my teammates, and do whatever it takes to help Scotland succeed," he affirmed.
Fans can follow the progress of the new Scotland side via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for up‑to‑date news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and more. The upcoming match schedule includes: - 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 encouraged to take part in the Super 6 promotion, offering a chance to win £1 million at no cost. Robbie Ure’s story serves as a reminder that unconventional routes can lead to the highest honours, and his journey from a Scottish academy to a LaLiga club and now the national team epitomises the modern, globalised nature of football development.