McTominay returns as Penrice earns first Scotland call

Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams return to the Scotland squad for the remaining Nations League matches at home to North Macedonia and away to Switzerland.

There is a first call up for James Penrice and uncapped Kristi Montgomery, a late addition last time, retains his place.

Scott McKenna and Kenny McLean miss out through injury, while Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Colby Donovan and James Wilson drop out.

Head coach Sebastien Pocognoli chose an extended pool of 28 for the first four matches, which included disappointing home defeats to Switzerland and Slovenia.

For these fixtures, the Belgian has gone with 26, sticking with four goalkeepers.

Scotland are third in Group B1 and require a minimum of four points to have any chance of finishing second to feature in the promotion play-offs.

One point would stave off any threat of relegation.

Switzerland lead the way on maximum points, with Slovenia three ahead of Scotland.

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

Napoli star McTominay has scored four goals in seven outings since recovering from a minor heart procedure.

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.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)

Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Nathan Patterson (Torino), James Penrice (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Heart of Midlothian) Scott McTominay (Napoli), Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla)