Steve Clarke set to hand surprise Scotland call-up to fifth uncapped player

JACK MACKENZIE is set to become the fifth uncapped player in Steve Clarke’s latest Scotland squad.

The Aberdeen defender has never played for Scotland at any youth level before but has established himself as a key player for the Dons since breaking into the first team three years ago.

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MacKenzie, 24, would link-up with current Pittodrie team mate Nicky Devlin for the Nations League double-header this month.

Devlin, 30, is also in line to win his first cap should Clarke give him a taste of the action against Portugal and/or Croatia.

MacKenzie will be called up as a replacement for Celtic left-back Greg Taylor, who is about to drop out of the squad.

Full-back MacKenzie has played in every league and cup game under new boss Jimmy Thelin this season, in which the Dons have racked up an impressive 13 wins on the spin.

He has started every Premiership game and provided one assist from the left-back position.

Taylor meanwhile has struggled with niggling injuries this season and missed out on the last round of international fixtures in September.

The 26-year-old, who has 14 Scotland caps to his name, wasn’t in the Hoops’ matchday squad for the game against Ross County on Sunday, which ended in a 2-1 win for Brendan Rodgers‘ men.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie is also expected to join the squad with Angus Gunn a serious injury doubt.

Former Rangers stopper McCrorie, 26, has been in squads before but has also never won a full cap.

If both men are called up it would take the total number of uncapped players in Clarke’s squad to six.

They would be McCrorie, MacKenzie, Devlin plus Dundee goalie Jon McCracken, Preston North End centre-back Liam Lindsay and West Ham midfielder Andy Irving.

Meanwhile, former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist is tipping Oli McBurnie for a surprise return to the national team setup.

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