MX23RW : Saturday, June 1 21:08:40| >> :600:375842:375842:

Steve Clarke calls up four Kilmarnock players in first Scotland squad

Steve Clarke calls up four Kilmarnock players in first Scotland squad
© Reuters
Stephen O'Donnell, Greg Taylor, Stuart Findlay and Eamonn Brophy have all been included in Clarke's first squad.

Steve Clarke has named four Kilmarnock players in his first Scotland squad.

The former Rugby Park manager has called up full-backs Stephen O'Donnell and Greg Taylor, centre-back Stuart Findlay and striker Eamonn Brophy.

Both Taylor and Brophy have won their first call-ups ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus at Hampden on June 8 and Belgium in Brussels three days later.

Clarke said: "People will look at it and probably think, 'he's just picking players from Kilmarnock for the sake of it'. It's not true. All the boys deserve to be there.

Scotland Under-21 left-back Greg Taylor is stepping up
Scotland Under-21 left-back Greg Taylor is stepping up (Craig Watson/PA)

"Stephen O'Donnell is an established player at right-back, seven caps. Stuart Findlay was in the last squad that Alex (McLeish) picked, Stuart has had a great season.

"We have one or two injury problems in the left-back position, Andy Robertson has still to get through the Champions League final, Kieran Tierney is out, Barry Douglas, who I spoke to, is also injured.

"So it was just a case of promoting Greg up from the very good performances he has had for Scotland Under-21s. He had a terrific season, probably the most consistent left-back in the SPL, so he deserves his chance.

"Up front I have a lot of injury problems and Eamonn Brophy was an obvious choice for me."

With Leigh Griffiths still unavailable, Steven Naismith and Oli McBurnie missing through injury and Steven Fletcher still absent, Brophy will challenge Marc McNulty, Johnny Russell and Oliver Burke for a place up front.

Hull goalkeeper David Marshall and Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney have been recalled.

There are no places for Steven Fletcher, Matt Ritchie or Robert Snodgrass, who had been missing from recent squads whilst managing fitness issues.

Clarke – who named a 27-man squad – revealed he had held positive conversations with a number of players who are not in the squad but not all could change their plans at short notice.

Steven Reid has been coaching with West Brom
Steven Reid has been coaching with West Brom (Nick Potts/PA)

Winger Lewis Morgan, who finished the season on loan at Sunderland from Celtic, is included, as is uncapped Aberdeen defender Michael Devlin.

Clarke also confirmed his backroom staff would include his former Kilmarnock assistant Alex Dyer, who remains on the staff at Rugby Park.

Former Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid will also join the staff and Celtic goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods will continue in the role he filled under McLeish.


Click here for more stories about Steve Clarke

Click here for more stories about Kilmarnock

Share this article now:
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke pictured on May 5, 2018
Read Next:
Kilmarnock pay tribute to departing boss Steve Clarke
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account