Scotland World Cup Qualifiers squad: Lawrence Shankland remembers

Heart of Midlothian captain Lawrence Shankland has been called up to Scotland’s squad for pivotal World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Denmark later this month.

The 30-year-old striker, who last featured for Scotland in the Nations League win over Poland 12 months ago, returns to Steve Clarke’s squad alongside goalkeeper Scott Payne and defenders Ross McCrory and Josh Doig.

Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie is out to make way for Shankland’s return, with Torino’s Che Adams, Birmingham City’s Lyndon Dykes and Ipswich Town’s George Hurst the other strikers in the squad.

Shankland has formed an impressive partnership up front for Hearts with new signing Claudio Braga this season, with his goal in the 4-0 win over Dundee on Saturday moving him top of the domestic scoring charts.

Bristol City’s McCrory, who made his only Scotland appearance against Gibraltar last year, returns to provide additional cover at right-back, with Aaron Hickey just back from the injury he picked up in the last international window.

Derby County’s Max Johnstone has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury while Everton’s Nathan Patterson needs a hernia operation.

Sassuolo’s Doig – one of six Serie A players named in the 25-man squad – missed the October squad but was part of the squad in September and will compete for the left-back position with captain Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who started all four games in the qualifiers, is out through injury, so Falkirk’s Payne – the 33-year-old who won the last of his three matches at San Marino in 2019 – returns.

Craig Gordon is likely to replace Gunn, but the 42-year-old has been replaced by summer signing Alexander Ciolo as Hearts’ goalkeeper this season.

The eight midfielders selected by Clarke are the same players who featured in the narrow victories against Greece and Belarus in October.

Billy Gilmour came off after 38 minutes of Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Como at the weekend, but has taken his place in the team alongside team-mate Scott McTominay.

Scotland, who have not reached the World Cup finals since 1998, travel to Piraeus to face Greece on November 15 before playing group leaders Denmark at Hampden Park three days later.

Clark’s team occupies second place in Group C after three wins and a draw and has already secured at least a place in the World Cup qualifiers next March.

With the Danes superior on goal difference and facing bottom side Belarus in the next round, Scotland realistically need at least a draw with Piraeus in order to set up a winner-takes-all encounter at Hampden.