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John Souttar: Scotland call up Hearts defender for World Cup qualifiers

Watch Moldova vs Scotland live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event on Friday, November 12 from 5pm; John Souttar has been in impressive form for Hearts and the centre-back replaces the injured Grant Hanley while Ryan Fraser also drops out

Hearts' John Souttar has been called up to replace injured Grant Hanley for the Scotland double header against Moldova and Denmark
Image: Hearts' John Souttar has been called up to replace injured Grant Hanley for the Scotland double-header against Moldova and Denmark

John Souttar has been called up to replace the injured Grant Hanley while Ryan Fraser has withdrawn from Scotland's squad to play against Moldova and Denmark over the international break.

Souttar, who has earned three caps for the national team to date, has impressed for Robbie Neilson's Hearts so far this term, making 11 appearances with the Edinburgh club third in the Scottish Premiership.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has been handed some unfortunate injury news prior to his team's two crunch qualifiers, with Ryan Fraser and Grant Hanley having been forced to drop out.

Live World Cup Qualifier

Hanley's muscle issue was confirmed by Norwich earlier this week and the centre-back missed his side's 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.

John Souttar has been in good form for Hearts this term
Image: Centre-back Souttar has been in fine form for Hearts this term
Scotland’s Grant Hanley is forced off with a first half injury  during a Euro 2020 match between Croatia and Scotland at Hampden Park
Image: Grant Hanley will not be available for Steve Clarke

If Scotland beat Moldova in Chisinau on Friday, they will have secured a place in the play-offs to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Ryan Fraser
Image: Ryan Fraser was an unused substitute in Newcastle's most recent game, a 1-1 draw with Brighton

A draw would see Clarke's side finish second in Group F if Austria draw with Israel on the same night.

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Clarke's team are aiming to reach back-to-back major tournaments - and a first World Cup since 1998.

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