Buddie Declan Gallagher looks set to play a vital role for Scotland in the Nations League as the battered squad needs defensive reinforcements.
Gallagher was called on by Steve Clarke to travel with the squad to Krakow – with Scott McKenna, Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay all dropping out due to injuries and suspensions.
The St Mirren defender, along with Hearts duo Barry McKay and Stephen Kingsley and Hellas Verona full-back Josh Doig, have been drafted in to help get Scotland over the line against Ukraine at the Marszałek Piłsudski Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the game, Scotland boss Clarke outlined the state of the squad and why he chose to pick the Paisley defender to shore up the defence.
Clarke said: “It seems a bit callus and cold from me but I have to move on to the next player who is available and trying to prepare as best possible for the game coming up.
“Declan is there and I’ve also brought in Stephen Kingsley as well, a player playing well at Hearts. So we are well covered. Aaron Hickey trained and it seems like we made the right decision in taking him off when we did the other night.
“We also have Tony Ralston and Josh Doig who has looked good in training. It’s now down to those boys to step forward and make their mark in the team.”
Gallagher was a feature in the Scotland squad as they qualified for the 2020 Euros, and he became known for his solid defending and aerial ability.
The Scottish international was part of the starting 11 for the historic win against Serbia to send Scotland to the tournament.
He was on the bench on Saturday as Scotland took a massive step forward to getting promoted to group A in the Nations League and he will be hoping that he can play his part getting his country into the elite group of the competition.
Gallagher’s chances of starting were boosted as McKenna unexpectedly dropped out of the squad and with injury doubts over Hickey, he looks likely to start the game against Ukraine.
Speaking about the depleted squad, Clarke said: “I was totting up the injuries the other day and from my expanded pool of players, I’m missing something like 16 players. That’s quite a lot.
“As always in this kind of situation, you tend to find it’s the one position that’s targeted and it’s one very general position – and that’s in defence. We’ve lost a lot of defenders, and a few forwards as well.
“But in this situation, I always say it’s not about the ones who have dropped out, it’s about the ones who are here and can step in. It’s a great chance for them to show everybody what they’re all about.”
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