Newcastle duo back in Scotland squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has handed recalls to Newcastle duo Matt Ritchie and Grant Hanley ahead of the vital World Cup Qualifiers against Lithuania and Malta.

The pair had been left out of Strachan’s previous squad – the 2-2 draw against England in June – but have been recalled along with Matt Phillips, Steven Fletcher and Steven Whittaker ahead of their must-win Group F fixtures in September.

Whittaker returns to the fold over a year since his last cap and is included alongside Millwall goalkeeper Jordan Archer, who has been selected for the first time following an injury to David Marshall, but James Morrison misses out as he continues to recover from injury.
Callum McGregor has again been ignored despite an impressive start to the season and calls from Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers for his inclusion, while there is no room for RB Leipzig forward Oliver Burke.

Strachan’s side are four points adrift of second place following the point against England, and face a critical trip to Lithuania on September 1 before hosting Malta three days later.

Strachan admitted his side must get something out of the two games if they hope to qualify for next year’s tournament in Russia.

He said: „We have got to try and win both games. We never set out to draw a game, we set out to win and, if we draw, we draw.

„Whether it’s Germany away, or down at England, we set up that way.

„I don’t think we have the physical capabilities at the back to take long periods of being under intense pressure. Physically we are not the biggest side.“

Hanley and Ritchie had both been left out recently due to injury and form issues, but have been recalled, Ritchie having impressed during Newcastle’s start to life in the Premier League.

Leigh Griffiths will be expected to lead the line once again after getting off the mark against England, while Robert Snodgrass retains his spot despite being out of favour with West Ham.

Strachan admitted it was not ideal to have several players starved of game-time.

He said: „There are a few, that’s why the squad is probably larger than normal. One or two are playing with knocks and may need a rest and one or two who aren’t in the team. We will keep an eye on them, and their fitness, monitor the guys with knocks.“

On the absence of McGregor, he added: „A lot were close. Looking at the midfield and the squad, there are a lot of good, good players who have done well for us over the years, and we can rely on.“

Strachan is pleased to have the likes of Ritchie, Phillips and Fletcher back, and said: „It’s good, they are good players to add to the squad we have already got.

„I am really proud of the squad we had last time out, the way we worked.

„James Morrison got injured playing in the England game, which says a lot about him because he got injured early on in a tackle and he wanted to play on.

„James is still recovering from that. I think he had 45 minutes for the U23s last week but he is not at his best at the moment.“

Scotland squad: Archer, Gordon, McGregor, Anya, Berra, Hanley, R Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson, Tierney, Whittaker, Armstrong, Bannan, Brown, Cairney, D Fletcher, Forrest, Fraser, McArthur, McGinn, Phillips, Ritchie, Snodgrass, S Fletcher, Griffiths, C Martin, Naismith.Euro Soccer Bonus

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