Scotland recall Findlay Curtis after impressing with under-21s

Findlay Curtis has returned to Sebastien Pocognoli’s Scotland squad for the Nations League clash against Slovenia at Barclays Hampden on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old Rangers attacker was named in the new head coach’s first group for the four-game international break, along with Hearts striker James Wilson, but both were moved to the under-21 squad for European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan last Wednesday.

Curtis, who has scored once in five appearances for Scotland’s senior team, provided four assists in the comprehensive 5-2 win for the young Scots at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park and has been recalled by Pocognoli, who enjoyed his first win as Scotland boss at the weekend with a 2-0 victory away to North Macedonia.

The 39-year-old Belgian said: “Regarding what we try to build as a connection with the under-21 group, we selected Findlay because he deserved to be here.

“But he needed playing time and the fact that (under-21s boss) Tony (Docherty) is playing a similar style of play to us, it’s a good window for him to show it live and he did fantastically well against Azerbaijan.

“It was clear for us that we want to make this bridge between the two groups, to show also that when you do well, you come back, and it is also a signal for the rest of the group.”

After three Group B1 fixtures, Scotland are in third place with four points, behind Slovenia on goal difference with Switzerland top of the table with nine points from nine.

Scotland host North Macedonia and travel to Switzerland to conclude the campaign next month.