Jacob Brown: Scotland call up Stoke City striker for World Cup Qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark
Zander Clark recalled but Liam Kelly misses out; Scotland second in Group F and close to qualifying for play-offs; watch Moldova vs Scotland live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event on Friday, November 12 from 5pm
Tuesday 2 November 2021 14:25, UK
Stoke City's Jacob Brown has been named in the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark.
The 23-year-old striker, who has registered four goals and four assists in 19 appearances for his club this season, grew up in England but qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandparents.
With Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes suspended for Scotland's trip to Moldova, Brown has been added to a forward contingent which also features Che Adams, Kevin Nisbet and Ryan Fraser.
Zander Clark's form for St Johnstone has seen him recalled to Steve Clarke's squad as Liam Kelly misses out.
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Kieran Tierney's fitness was a concern for Clarke ahead of his squad announcement with the left-back having missed three consecutive games for Arsenal because of an ankle problem, but he has been included for the double-header.
If Scotland beat Moldova in Chisinau next Friday, they will have secured a place in the play-offs to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, while a draw would see Clarke's side finish second in Group F if Austria draw with Israel on the same night.
Live World Cup Qualifier
Scotland squad:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Jon McLaughlin (Rangers), Zander Clark (St Johnstone).
Defenders: Stephen O'Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Jack Hendry (Club Brugge), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal), Andy Robertson (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Billy Gilmour (Norwich City, on loan from Chelsea), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), David Turnbull (Celtic), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen), Scott McTominay (Manchester United).
Strikers: Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Che Adams (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ryan Fraser (Newcastle), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian), Jacob Brown (Stoke City).
'Brown brings us something different'
Explaining the process behind Brown's call-up, Scotland head coach Clarke thinks the Stoke forward can make an impact against Moldova based on his form in the Championship this term, and amid the absences of Dykes and Christie for their first game over the international break.
Clarke said: "Jacob has had a good spell at Stoke, done well and caught my eye and he'll bring us something a little bit different.
"And he will freshen up the striking department because we're obviously losing Lyndon and Ryan Christie for the first game.
"Jacob is quick and direct, a hard-working striker, and puts defenders under pressure, and always asks a question of the defenders.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on him as he's just a young man making his way in the game but if he keeps progressing the way he is then hopefully he can do well for his country."
Clarke's team are aiming to reach back-to-back major tournaments - and a first World Cup since 1998.
Off the back of four wins in five games since their Euro 2020 campaign, the Scotland head coach feels confident his team can reach another finals via the play-offs.
Clarke added: "We said a little while ago we wanted to be involved in the fight for first or second place right to the death.
"Last two games of the group and we're right involved so we'll try and keep up the good work and make sure we finish with as many points as we can and make sure that points total is enough to take us to the play-offs in March.
"It's good the players are all doing well for their clubs because you can keep picking the same players.
"I keep talking about respect for the group. It's a group of players that have done very well for their country recently so we try and follow in the same path."
