Shankland earns first Scotland call-up as Tierney misses out

Glasgow (AFP) – Lawrence Shankland was rewarded for his stunning form in Scotland’s second tier for Dundee United with a first international call-up by Scotland boss Steve Clarke on Tuesday.

However, there is still no place for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

Shankland, 24, has been selected for next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and San Marino after netting 15 goals in 12 appearances for United following his summer switch from Ayr.

“Lawrence is in form and deserves his chance,” said Clarke, who admitted he is not “over-burdened with top strikers.”

“The best way to look at him and gauge what level he is at is to bring him into the squad.

“It’s an opportunity to have him in the group, see how he works in the squad and hopefully he can score a few goals for us.”

Tierney, who became the most expensive Scottish player of all-time when he made a £25 million ($31 million) move from Celtic in August, is still short of match fitness after recovering from a hernia operation.

And Clarke acknowledged he had bowed to Arsenal’s wishes after Tierney made his comeback in the League Cup against Nottingham Forest last week.

“I was close to selecting Kieran,” added Clarke.

“Arsenal have indicated to us they would prefer us not to select him at this time because he has only played 70 minutes of football.”

After defeats to Russia and Belgium at home last month left Scotland second bottom of Group I, Clarke admitted his side’s realistic chances of automatic qualification are now gone.

Instead, he is focusing on preparing for a playoff, earned via the Nations League, next March.

Scotland face Russia in Moscow on October 10 before hosting San Marino three days later.