Armstrong returns to Scotland squad, Morgan and Adams withdraw

Scotland have confirmed that Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Stuart Armstrong has been recalled to Steve Clarke’s ranks ahead of their upcoming Nations League fixtures.

The Scots face Croatia at Hampden Park on Friday before taking on Poland in Warsaw three days later in the hope of picking up points in their bid for League A survival.

This will be Armstrong’s first appearance for his country since Euro 2024. He played for just 14 minutes in Scotland’s loss to Hungary in their final group game of the tournament.

The 32-year-old’s inclusion comes after the New York Red Bulls’ Lewis Morgan and Torino’s Che Adams pulled out, though Clarke confirmed he was happy with his forward options.

Morgan has impressed in the MLS this season, registering 20 goal involvements (13 goals, seven assists) in the regular season for Sandro Schwarz’s side.

His 49 chances created is a total only bettered by John Tolkin (59) for the Red Bulls, while he also helped his side in their recent playoff series win over the Columbus Crew.

Adams missed Torino’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus last Saturday with a thigh injury, but upon further assessment from the Serie A side, has been ruled out of international duty.

Scotland squad update.

IN: Stuart Armstrong.
OUT: Lewis Morgan and Che Adams. #SCOCRO | #POLSCO pic.twitter.com/REturiXBMF

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 12, 2024

Scotland sit bottom of Group A1 after picking up one point from their first four games, which came in their last Nations League encounter with Portugal.

Clarke’s side, however, are both on their longest ever winless run at home (six games – D3 L3) and longest run without a victory in competitive fixtures (10 games – D4 L6).

They could also level their longest overall streak without a win, set in 1998 (nine games – D3 L5 currently), if they fall to defeat on Friday.

Croatia, however, have never won away in Scotland (D2 L1), with this their first trip to Hampden Park since October 2013, losing 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier.