Scotland hand Kristi Montgomery first call-up as Tierney and McLean drop out

Montgomery earns maiden Scotland call as veterans withdraw

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery has been handed his first senior Scotland call-up after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean dropped out of the Nations League squad.

The 22-year-old has been promoted from the under-21s by new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli for the fixtures against Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia. Montgomery, who made his Scotland Under-21 debut last year, has started all eight Championship matches for Tony Mowbray's side this season and becomes the eighth uncapped player in the 27-strong group.

Veteran withdrawals open the door

Celtic defender Tierney and Norwich midfielder McLean have 119 international caps between them. Their withdrawals, alongside the prior unavailability of experienced trio Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland, gave Pocognoli an already fresh-looking squad another new face to consider.

The uncapped contingent also includes Luke Graham, Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh.

Analysis: A local boy made good

BBC Scotland senior sports writer Tom English noted Montgomery's journey: "Montgomery has been on the books at Blackburn Rovers since the age of nine, qualifying to play for Scotland through his mother. He's represented his country at U-18s, U-20s and U-21s and has started the season particularly well at an albeit struggling Blackburn."

Blackburn sit 16th in the Championship having diced with relegation last season, eventually finishing 20th in what was Montgomery's breakthrough season.

Club manager Mowbray has been full of praise for his midfielder: "He's an amazing young footballer who is playing in the battleground of the match in the middle of the pitch and is generally coming out with the ball after winning every duel he goes into."

Montgomery has played in all 10 of Blackburn's games this season, and his promotion on the back of the unfortunate losses of veterans McLean and Tierney "gives an already fresh-looking Scotland squad another level of interest," wrote English.

Recalls and returns

Oli McBurnie, Scott Bain, Kieron Bowie, Josh Doig, Lennon Miller and James Wilson were recalled, while Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour returns after missing the World Cup through injury. Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher drops to the under-21s after taking Gilmour's place in the USA.

Among those overlooked by Pocognoli are Dominic Hyam, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Grant Hanley, Anthony Ralston and Ross Stewart.

Revised Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)

Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese)

Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)