McTominay recalled as James Penrice earns first Scotland call-up

Scott McTominay has been recalled to the Scotland squad and James Penrice has been given his first call-up as head coach Sebastien Pocognoli named a 26-player group for the remaining Nations League fixtures at home to North Macedonia on 13 November and away to Switzerland on 16 November.

McTominay missed club and international matches in September and October following a minor heart procedure; Kieran Tierney and Che Adams also return to the squad. Uncapped Blackburn midfielder Kristi Montgomery, who was a late addition last time, retains his place, while Penrice receives his maiden call-up. Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean are absent through injury, and Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Colby Donovan and James Wilson have been left out.

Pocognoli had named an extended pool of 28 for the first four Nations League matches, which included home defeats to Switzerland and Slovenia, and for these final fixtures the Belgian has reduced the squad to 26 while keeping four goalkeepers in the group.

Scotland sit third in Group B1 and require a minimum of four points to have any chance of finishing second and featuring in the promotion play-offs; one point would remove the immediate threat of relegation. Switzerland lead the group on maximum points, with Slovenia three points clear of Scotland.

Left-back James Penrice, 27, has impressed for Rangers since joining on loan from AEK Athens. Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery, 22, has started all but one Championship match this season.

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has scored four goals in seven outings since recovering from the minor heart procedure that kept him out in September and October. Che Adams has doubled his Torino tally for the term with two goals in five Serie A games after a brief lay-off with an adductor issue.

Captain Andy Robertson will surpass Sir Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps should the Tottenham full-back feature in both matches on 13 and 16 November.

Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November after hosting North Macedonia on 13 November, with the selected 26-man squad contesting those two fixtures and needing at least four points to retain a realistic opportunity of finishing second in Group B1 and reaching the promotion play-offs.