McTominay returns as Penrice earns first Scotland call

What the report says

Scotland have recalled Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams for their remaining Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland, while Rangers left-back James Penrice has received his first senior call-up. BBC Sport reports that head coach Sebastien Pocognoli named a 26-man squad, trimmed from the larger group used earlier in the campaign, with four goalkeepers included again.

McTominay missed matches in September and October after a minor heart procedure, but has since returned in strong club form for Napoli. Adams also comes back after a spell out with an adductor issue, and Tierney is back in the squad as Scotland look to recover from a difficult start to the group stage. Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery keeps his place after being a late addition previously.

Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean are absent because of injury, while Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Colby Donovan and James Wilson drop out from the last squad. Penrice, 27, has earned his first national-team recognition after impressing since joining Rangers on loan from AEK Athens.

Scotland are third in Group B1 and need at least four points to have a chance of finishing second and reaching the promotion play-offs. One point would be enough to avoid relegation. Switzerland top the group, with Slovenia ahead of Scotland, so the November matches carry significant weight for the team’s final standing.