Scotland Men's Football Team

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Regular club game time will help North Macedonia compete with Scotland - or any other national team, according to former Burnley winger Darko Churlinov.

While Rangers striker Bojan Miovski paid for his lack of minutes by being dropped from the squad, the 26-year-old currently with Pogon Szczecin in the Polish top flight has been recalled by head coach Goce Sedloski.

"Playing time at the club level is vital and that energy carries over here as well," Churlinov said as he looks to add to his 43 caps in the Nations League at Hampden Park on Friday before his side conclude their campaign at home to Slovenia.

"It is a positive thing that we are all playing for our clubs - that we are getting minutes - and I believe this will have a positive impact on these two matches."

Macedonia are bottom of the Group B1 without a point and have gone 12 games without a victory, failing to score in the latest eight and losing their latest five while conceding 14 goals.

However, Churlinov is confident that his side possesses the quality to compete on equal terms with any opponent, regardless of the reputations or individual talent of the players on the opposing side.

"Scotland has [Scott] McTominay, [Billy] Gilmour and [Andy] Robertson - we have [Atalanta midfielder] Elif Elmas, [Konyaspor midfielder] Enis Bardhi and [Valencia goalkeeper] Stole Dimitrievski," he pointed out.

"Nowadays, there is no national team that cannot be beaten, so we need to demonstrate that on the pitch."

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Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has been talking to the media as he prepares for Friday's Nations League Group B1 visit by North Macedonia.

Here are his key points:

• Pocognoli says it is "exciting" to have his players together again for his second camp in charge and reports "a very good first day" of training.

• He says the mood continues to be good despite a defeat at home to Slovenia last time out.

• Pocognoli says the lesson from the last game was that fatigue meant he would need to give substitutes more minutes and "rotate a bit more".

• The Belgian says "we know what we want to improve" despite having only two days to prepare for the next game.

• Pocognoli recognises games against North Macedonia and Switzerland could be his last chance to prepare for European Championship qualifiers starting in March, although he retains hopes of making the Nations League promotion play-offs.

• Pocognoli recognises how important Scott McTominay is to Scotland says the Napoli midfielder "had a smile on his face from the minute he arrived".

• McTominay is part of "my captain group of five" who "share resposibilities" and get the head coach's message across on the pitch.

• "Without leaders, you can't win anything," Pocognoli says. "You need guys who are helping the staff bring the standard. We are really lucky that we have a lot of captains in this team."

• Pocognoli says "it is fantastic" that captain Andy Robertson is set to equal Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps.

• Centre-half Ryan Porteous deserves his call up because of his performances for Los Angeles, will fit well with Scotland's style of play and will be determined to impress.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson is set to equal Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps 40 years and a day to when Dalglish last played for the national team. (National - subscription required, external)

Former Scotland forward Kris Boyd backs Torino forward Che Adams to return to leading the line for the national team in the current international window. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish says the national team need more players to step up like "stalwart" captain Andy Roberston.

McLeish made Robertson skipper in 2018 and the left-back is close to breaking Kenny Dalglish's caps record for the men's team.

Sebastien Pocognoli has won one, drawn one and lost two of his Scotland games in charge so far.

"He's trying to do something," McLeish said of Belgian Pocognoli.

"He's trying to put his own identity into the team so I get that, totally, but the main thing is just win.

"The fans are always there for Scotland. We've got no doubts about that at all. It's just about the players on the field now getting to their best levels.

"Andy Robertson's been an absolute stalwart over the years and it's now time for other people to wear his shoes."

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin has insisted he never had any doubts about reinstating captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo to face Scotland in the Nations League following an investigation into them obtaining fake Covid certificates. (The National, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Celtic centre-half Ramon Vega has already reached out to the Scottish FA to support his bid to oust the controversial Gianni Infantino as president of world governing body Fifa. (The Herald, external)

Brondby head coach Thomas Norgaard has insisted Luis Binks will be fit to play against FC Copenhagen - and for Scotland - despite the centre-half hobbling off on his return from injury. (The National, external)

Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley will miss Hibernian's visit to Aberdeen on Saturday after undergoing an operation on an injured thumb. (Edinburgh Evening News, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Findlay Curtis is relaxed over his Rangers future as he looks to cement his place for club and country.

The winger, 20, has yet to agree a new contract amid ongoing talks but is relishing life under Derek McInnes and eyeing his first silverware.

"I'll leave that with my agent and the football club," Curtis said.

"Obviously, it's a brilliant place to play football. I've been here since I was six, so we'll see what happens. But I'm loving it here.

"With the new staff as well, there's a real feeling everyone here wants the success that the fans want."

Curtis, who came through the Ibrox academy, had a successful loan spell at Kilmarnock last season and returned to Ibrox looking to kick on.

However, his past eight appearances have all been off the bench as Derek McInnes's side have gone on an 11-game unbeaten run which has taken them second in the Premiership before the trip to St Mirren on Saturday and secured a place in the League Cup final against Hibernian next month.

Despite a lack of starts Curtis was named in Sebastien Pocognoli's first Scotland squad for the Nations League camp in September and October and then dropped to the Under-21s where he starred in the 5-2 victory over Azerbaijan at Rugby Park.

Curtis returned to the senior squad and came off the bench in the 2-1 home defeat to Slovenia and on Tuesday it was revealed he had retained his place in the squad for this month's final two Group B1 matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

The youngster is ready to do whatever it takes to become a regular for Rangers and Scotland.

He said: "I just needed to take it in my stride. It was hard at the time because all I wanted to do was play for Scotland's first team.

"It's every young boy's dream. I'm just delighted to be back up for this camp and hopefully I can make that impact again.

"I think if you have to drop down a level, all you can do is be the best you can be. I think I did that. I'm not going to chuck it at any time, whether it's at club level, with Scotland or with Scotland Under-21s.

"I'm enjoying this year and hopefully, as a club and as Scotland, we can kick on.

"I think it's about working hard. Listen, all the boys in my position (at Rangers) are doing really well and the team is winning. That's the main thing at the club.

"All I need to do is impress in training, whether it's coming on from the bench or starting games, and make sure I make that spot my own.

"It's massive that we can win a cup final before Christmas. It would mean everything to me. Being a boyhood fan, it would be unbelievable."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin backs midfielder Dylan Tait, 24, for a Scotland call-up. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Celtic will be happy to sell 27-year-old Scotland right-back Anthony Ralston if he receives interest in January. (Football Insider, external)

Bolonga and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 27, reveals he expects to play for Rangers one day. (National - subscription required, external)

Rangers and Scotland winger Findlay Curtis is attracting loan interest from Scottish Premiership rivals and clubs in England as the 20-year-old struggles for a starting place in the lead-up to the January transfer window. (Football Insider, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views after Sebastien Pocognoli named his Scotland squad for this month's Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

Here's what some of you said:

Dava: Four goalies! We only need Scott Bain.

John: Why is Andy Irving not included in the Scotland squad?

Alan: I understand rebuilding is more than just trying scores of players and seeing what sticks, but if Pocognoli wants creativity in midfield then we should be giving Ryan Gauld a proper shot. He never got more than a couple of games under Steve Clarke, but continues to create, cross, and score goals as Vancouver captain.

John: To be honest, I cannot think of anyone we could have brought in, but why four goalkeepers when one will not even make the bench? Again, a large number of players are just bench warmers at their clubs. Granted some do a job when asked.

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Bojan Miovski has lost his place in the North Macedonia squad for this month's Nations League trip to Scotland due a lack of game time at Rangers.

The 27-year-old striker has nine goals from 45 international appearances but has been used sparingly at Ibrox this season.

Miovski, who played the full match when Scotland won 2-0 in Skopje on 3 October, has only featured for a combined 72 minutes across eight appearances as a substitute under Ibrox boss Derek McInnes.

The former Aberdeen and Girona centre-forward scored a stoppage-time winner at home to St Mirren in September, having hit 13 goals for Rangers last term.

Head coach Goce Sedloski insisted "the door is not closed" for Miovski, who made his North Macedonia debut five years ago.

"Miovski has not had playing time at Glasgow Rangers for a long time," Sedloski added. "He has not been deleted from the squad, when he plays, he will get a call-up.

"There is no anger about the decision. I have always decided to select those who are playing and I will continue that way."

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Sebastien Pocognoli has been speaking to the media after naming his Scotland squad for the remaining Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

Here are the key lines from the news conference:

• Pocognoli is pleased to have "plenty of experience" back with Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Kieran Tierney returning to a "young" squad: "The mix will be good and these players will also show the way for them."

• On a first call-up for Rangers left-back James Penrice, the Scotland boss says: "We have a list of players that we select regarding the performance at their clubs, but also the style of play or the way that we want to play. We have some missing players around the left side. So, combined with his quality and what we are looking for on the pitch, it's a logical choice for me and it can be very useful for the system that we want to play and also I think he deserves it."

• The Belgian has named a similar squad because he is seeking "continuity" as Scotland build towards the start of Euro qualifying.

• Pocognoli was in regular contact with McTominay before and after the Napoli midfielder's heart surgery: "He's one of the captains so there's a special contact with them, but he's looking forward to come, to play for us, to play in a different way, on the pitch and he is very positive, so that's important."

• The manager took "a lot of positives" from his first four games despite mixed results and says: "A new squad, new staff, a lot of new faces. Some strong decisions, some needed decisions."

• He adds: "We did a lot of good things. I think we need a good result also to give something to the supporters and also just to give the confidence to the players that we are winning games. That's the main factor to qualify for a tournament."

• While there will still be some "experimenting", he is seeking improvement from the team and knows the importance of securing wins, especially a first Hampden victory when North Macedonia visit.

• Pocognoli is keen for young Scottish players to stay in the Premiership to enhance their development and help make the league stronger.

Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams return to the Scotland squad for the remaining Nations League matches at home to North Macedonia and away to Switzerland.

There is a first call-up for James Penrice and uncapped Kristi Montgomery, a late addition last time, retains his place.

Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean miss out through injury, while Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Colby Donovan and James Wilson drop out.

Scotland are third in Group B1 and require a minimum of four points to have any chance of finishing second to feature in the promotion play-offs.

What do you make of Pocognoli's squad selection - has he got it right or are there any glaring omissions?

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