Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad: Liverpool’s Ben Doak included

Liverpool’s Ben Doak has been named in Scotland’s preliminary squad for this summer’s European Championship.

The 18-year-old winger is yet to make a senior appearance for Scotland but has been included in manager Steve Clarke’s 28-man squad.

The teenager, who joined Liverpool from Celtic in 2022, has not played since December due to a knee injury.

Scotland are without Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson, Everton defender Nathan Patterson, and Brentford defender Aaron Hickey due to injury.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson will captain the side in Germany. Clarke has until June 7 to cut his 28-man squad to the 26 that is permitted.

After warm-up games against Gibraltar on June 3 and Finland on June 7, Scotland begin their Euro 2024 journey against hosts Germany on June 14. They then play Switzerland on June 19 before ending the group stage against Hungary on June 23.

Scotland squad in full

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell).

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad).

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United).

Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Ben Doak (Liverpool), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), James Forrest (Celtic), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).

“Bold but exciting”

It’s a bold but exciting call to bring the uncalled Liverpool youngster Ben Doak into the squad.

The winger caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp straight away after moving from Celtic at 16 and only injury saw him prevented from making a serious dent on the first team this season.

Clarke is often characterised as being conservative but it would have been easy to leave the 18-year-old out citing a lack of senior minutes.

Instead, he has brought a player with pace and dribbling ability, two things Scotland sorely lack in attack.

The only other surprising news is a call-up for Bristol City’s Ross McCrorie. The Rangers youth product has been a utility man most of his career but he has been playing right wing back for the Championship side this season and it is the one area that Scotland have been cruelly robbed of two players with Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey both missing out due to injury.

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston is another option included, while Doak could also be used there to provide a more attacking spark.

Elsewhere, 41-year-old Craig Gordon seals another remarkable return. He suffered a broken leg last year but has worked his way back to fitness at Hearts and will be looking to challenge Angus Gunn for the No. 1 jersey again.

James Forrest’s resurgence at Celtic has also seen him win a return to the squad as another option at right wing-back. He played an important role down the home stretch in Celtic’s latest title win but has not played for Scotland since EURO 2020.

Clarke is fiercely loyal and this is a squad that has virtually picked itself over the past three years.

It may still lack top-level ability at center back and in the striking department but it is a squad that has grown together and now have over 700 caps between them.

(Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)