Robbie Ure can hardly contain his excitement after his atypical journey through the football world has culminated in a maiden senior call‑up for Scotland under manager Sebastien Pocognoli. The 22‑year‑old forward, who began his development in the Rangers youth system, found his pathway to the international stage blocked by limited first‑team chances at the Glasgow club. Seeking regular senior football, he made the bold decision to leave Scotland for Belgium in 2023, joining the ranks of RSC Anderlecht.
That move proved to be a pivotal stepping stone, offering him the platform he needed to showcase his abilities and mature as a professional. After a season in Belgium, Ure’s next adventure took him north to Sweden, where he signed for IK Sirius. In a remarkably productive spell, he found the back of the net 31 times in 50 appearances, a strike rate that attracted attention from clubs across the continent.
His goal‑scoring exploits did not go unnoticed, and during the summer transfer window he secured a high‑profile move to La Liga side Sevilla. The Andalusian club paid an initial fee of £5.5 million for the young striker, a testament to his rising reputation. Ure’s rapid ascent from the Scottish academy to one of Europe’s top leagues was rewarded with an invitation to join Scotland’s senior squad for the first time.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he reflected on the decisions that shaped his career: “At Rangers I didn’t believe I could go further, and I needed a step before the step. Anderlecht was able to give me that.” He added that, looking back, the choice to move abroad was undeniably the right one. “It’s a bit unusual for a Scottish player to take that route,” he said, noting that while many observers assume his journey began only a few weeks ago, it has actually spanned three years of hard work, relocation, and adaptation to different football cultures.
Ure praised the new management team, expressing enthusiasm about being part of Pocognoli’s inaugural training camp. “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 explained.
The Scottish side is undergoing a significant overhaul under Pocognoli, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad omitted from the current list. Notably, none of the forwards who ventured to Major League Soccer have been retained, opening a door for Ure to stake his claim among the attacking options. The young striker emphasised the importance of fresh energy and a strong work ethic in the new setup. “We need to bring a fresh energy, hard work as well and try and play how the new gaffer wants us to play,” he said.
While the primary objective for any striker is to score goals, Ure stressed that the team’s ambitions extend beyond mere finishing. “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,” he added. Pocognoli’s tenure officially kicks off with a friendly in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a high‑stakes encounter with 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 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 this year’s competition, adding extra motivation to prove themselves. Ure described Pocognoli’s football philosophy as one that values intelligence, spatial awareness, and cohesion.
“He wants us to play smart football, identify where the spaces are and be close together as well and a lot more things,” the forward noted. He believes that as the training sessions progress, the players will gain a clearer understanding of the manager’s tactical blueprint. The full Scotland roster for the upcoming matches features a blend of domestic and overseas talent.
Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line comprises 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City). In midfield, Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) will vie for places.
The attacking contingent lists Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). For Ure, the upcoming fixtures represent a chance to demonstrate that his unconventional route – from the Scottish youth system to Belgium, Sweden and now Spain – can produce the quality and determination needed at the highest international level. Fans can stay updated on squad news, match previews and post‑game analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which provides a steady stream of videos, features and expert commentary.
The schedule for Scotland’s September‑October internationals is as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September (kick‑off 14:00), Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September (19:45), North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October (19:45) and Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October (19:45). Additional fixtures later in the year include Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November (19:45) and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November (19:45).