Steve Clarke leaves Scotland call-up hanging for cap hopeful Ryan Gauld

STEVE CLARKE insists the door isn’t closed on anyone in terms of Scotland call-ups.

And he reckons he’s proved it by bringing under-21 striker Tommy Conway up to senior level and Lewis Morgan in from the cold.

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Morgan has hit nine goals in 14 starts in a stunning season so for for MLS side New York Red Bulls.

But another Scots star tearing up the Stateside ‘soccer’ leagues is STILL without an international cap.

Ryan Gauld’s ongoing omission has many fans scratching their hreads despite his performances for Vancouver Whitecaps earning rave reviews across the pond.

But rather that be disappointed by being overlooked again – Clarke reckons ex-Celtic man Morgan’s last-ditch call should inspire Gauld, now 28.

He rubbished suggestions his staff haven’t been paying attention – and explained just why it’s been so tough for the Dundee United youngster to catch his eye.

He said: “For some reason people seem to think we don’t watch the MLS – but we do.

“It doesn’t bother me people think we don’t watch, because I know what we’re doing behind the scenes.

“I don’t care what anybody else says, I know me and my staff are doing everything we can to take as wide a view across the world.

“I believe the other one who gets mentioned in the MLS quite a lot is Ryan Gauld.

“But Ryan’s trying to get in ahead of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, who’s obviously injured now, Ryan Christie and Billy Gilmour.

“So he maybe has to be a little more patient.

“But I’m hoping with Lewis’ call-up Ryan’s now sitting in Vancouver thinking, ‘Hmm, that could have been me’, because it could have been.

“If we’d lost a midfielder it could have been someone else.

“Position for position, everyone has to know that we’re watching and to always perform to their maximum, because you just never know.

“We’ve two boys who’ve come in this time and what a chance it is for them.

“We’ve got some older boys in the squad as well and as we move forward to the Nations League games, there might be a little refresh.

“So just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Clarke has made the call on his final 26-man squad for the trip to Germany – injuries in the final friendly against Finland not withstanding.

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As Sunsport exclusively revealed on Wednesday, the boss will submit a squad list without Rangers defender John Souttar and keeper Craig Gordon.

The defender has been struggling with injury over the last few months and has been left out in an area where Clarke has plenty of cover.

Gordon rallied back from a horror leg break to earn consideration alongside team-mate Zander Clark.

But after sitting on the subs’ bench for Euro 2020, he’ll watch on from home with Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly and Clark in the three keeper positions this summer.

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