Che Adams pulled out of Scotland squad despite being fully fit

CHE ADAMS has pulled out of the Scotland squad — despite being fully fit.

SunSport understands the new Torino striker asked to be withdrawn in order to focus on settling into Italian life.

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But the loss of Adams, who started all three games at Euro 2024, is a huge blow to Scotland boss Steve Clarke ahead of Nations League clashes with Poland and Portugal.

Capped 33 times, the 28-year-old was named in the original squad for the upcoming double-header. But following a conversation with Clarke, Adams has opted to stay in Italy and won’t feature in either game.

His absence leaves Lyndon Dykes, Tommy Conway and Lawrence Shankland as Scotland’s striker options.

But Adams has been Clarke’s first-choice No 9 recently and would have been the favourite to start against Poland at Hampden on Thursday night.

He moved to Torino in late July after leaving Southampton and has been in good form for the Serie A side.

Adams started their last two games and scored the winner against Atalanta last month.

Celtic duo James Forrest and Greg Taylor also pulled out, with Rangers midfielder Connor Barron and Sassuolo’s Josh Doig coming in.

But Clarke is now without 11 members of his Euro 2024 squad going into two crucial Nations League fixtures.

Callum McGregor has retired, with Liam Kelly, Jack Hendry, Kieran Tierney, Liam Cooper, Stuart Armstrong, Ross McCrorie and Ryan Jack also absent.

Armstrong completed his move to Vancouver Whitecaps, as revealed by SunSport.

Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey, who missed the Euros through injury, remain out too.

Dundee’s Jon McCracken has also replaced injured Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.

But striker Lyndon Dykes has returned from the injury that kept him out of the Euros.

He said: “I’m happy to be back. I’m fit and healthy and training with the boys.

“I love playing for Scotland, I love being with the boys, and hopefully I help them out a little bit.

“All these games are going to be tough and we’ll need to be on our A-game.”

ITV joined the race to screen Scotland’s games against Poland and Portugal.

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The BBC and Premier Sports had been in talks with Viaplay, who hold the rights, but had failed to secure a deal so far.

Meanwhile, SFA technical director Graeme Jones is set to join Hearts as sporting director.

The Jambos have been on the lookout for a replacement for Joe Savage, who left his role in July.

Jones’ work over nine years with the game’s governing body saw him poached by the Tynecastle board.

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