FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group A - Scotland v Norway - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - November 19, 2023 Scotland's Zander Clark REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
(Reuters) -Scotland manager Steve Clarke named a 28-man provisional squad for the 2024 European Championship on Wednesday, calling up two uncapped players in Ben Doak and Ross McCrorie while James Forrest returns after nearly three years.
Doak, who impressed with the Under-21 side, made a handful of appearances for Liverpool this season but has not played since December due to a knee injury which required surgery.
McCrorie has made 19 appearances for Championship (second tier) side Bristol City this season while winger Forrest, who has 38 caps for Scotland, scored six times for Celtic en route to the Premiership title -- including five in his last eight.
"He (Forrest) has had a fantastic finish to the season... He's worked really hard. You're looking and thinking: 'Wow, James is back to where he was three or four years ago.' That was something I couldn't overlook," Clarke told reporters.
"Ben has a lot of talent, he catches your eye, the pace is something we haven't got in abundance. He's young and has a lot to learn in the game. It just seemed like the right opportunity with the squad (size) going from 23 to 26.
"I've probably got half a dozen who are not playing regularly or coming back form injury."
Wing backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson did not recover from injuries in time, giving McCrorie the opportunity to impress before Clarke cuts the squad down to 26 before the June 7 deadline.
"Ross had a really difficult time when he first went to Bristol City when he had a serious problem. He got back in the team in the second half of the season, acquitted himself well and got some minutes under his belt," Clarke said.
"He's been in squads before but never had a cap, so it's a chance to see Ross and how he's doing."
Scotland are set to play two friendly matches against Gibraltar (June 3) and Finland (June 7).
They are in Group A at the Euros where they will play hosts Germany (June 14) in the tournament opener followed by Switzerland (June 19) and Hungary (June 23).
Scotland will be looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
SCOTLAND PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR EURO 2024
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Kenny McLean (Norwich), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Ben Doak (Liverpool), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), James Forrest (Celtic), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)
