Sporting's Ryan Gauld returns to Scotland U21 squad following ban

Scotland U21 coach Ricky Sbragia has named a 22-man squad for the European Championship qualifiers against France and Northern Ireland later this month.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Ryan Gauld has returned to the squad following the two-match suspension which saw him sit out the drawn matches against Iceland and Ukraine last year.

Midfield duo Craig Storie of Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle's Liam Polworth are called up for the first time while fit-again Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie returns after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

Scotland take on France at the Stade Jean-Bouinin in Angers on Thursday, March 24 (8pm) before returning to face Northern Ireland at St Mirren's Paisley 2021 Stadium on Tuesday, March 29.

And Scotland fans can gain free entry to the match against Northern Ireland (kick-off 4pm) when they purchase their ticket for the A-squad match against Denmark which takes place later the same evening at 8pm.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ryan Fulton (Liverpool), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), Jonathan Henly (Ipswich).

Defenders: Stuart Findlay (Celtic), Marcus Fraser (Ross County), Stephen Hendrie (West Ham), Dominic Hyam * (Reading), Donald Love (Manchester United), Callum McFadzean (Sheffield United), Jordan McGhee (Hearts), John Souttar (Hearts).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Celtic), Ryan Gauld (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Liam Henderson (Celtic), Liam Polworth (Inverness CT), Craig Slater (Kilmarnock), Craig Storie (Aberdeen).

Forwards: Jason Cummings (Hibernian), Billy King (Hearts), Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City), Barrie McKay (Rangers), Sam Nicholson (Hearts).

* = Northern Ireland match only