Key Highlights
- Scott Bain returns to the Scotland national team after six years following a call-up by Steve Clarke.
- Bain’s inclusion is due to Angus Gunn suffering a knee injury, creating an opening in the squad.
- The Falkirk goalkeeper expressed doubts about his international prospects while playing for Celtic but now feels he made the right decision.
- Scotland will qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 if they win against Greece and beat Denmark in upcoming matches.
Scott Bain’s Return to Scotland Squad After Six Years
Scott Bain, the Falkirk goalkeeper, has been included in the Scotland national team for the first time since 2019. This call-up comes as a surprise to many, given that Bain had doubts about his international prospects while playing for Celtic.
Bain’s Journey with Falkirk
Bain joined Falkirk from Celtic in the summer and has started all 15 games this season. He expressed that when he first signed with Falkirk, he did not think an international recall was achievable:
“It honestly wasn’t something when I first joined Falkirk that I thought might have been achievable.”
However, as the season progressed and Bain’s form improved, his hopes of representing Scotland began to rise. He acknowledges that it would have been easier to make a move earlier:
“Looking back now I probably should have left Celtic and made the jump to get back into football a little bit quicker.”
Despite these regrets in hindsight, Bain is grateful for the opportunity:
“The circumstances maybe didn’t allow for that at the time, but 100 per cent I feel like I made the right decision because of this.”
Scotland’s Road to World Cup Qualification
The Scottish national team is aiming for their first World Cup appearance since 1998. They will face Greece on November 15 and Denmark three days later. Bain’s inclusion in the squad comes as a boost for the team, with Scotland needing to draw against Greece and win against Denmark to secure their qualification.
Scottish Squad for Upcoming Matches
The full Scottish squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
- Defenders: Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Connor Barron (Rangers), Andy Irving (West Ham)
- Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Bain’s inclusion adds depth to the Scottish goalkeeping position, with Craig Gordon and Liam Kelly also in contention. The squad is focused on securing a place at the 2026 World Cup, with Bain reflecting on his journey and the importance of the upcoming matches.
