Robertson and McGinn named in Scotland squad aiming for World Cup breakthrough.

Liverpool full‑back Andy Robertson and Aston Villa captain John McGinn were among the players named by manager Steve Clarke on Tuesday for Scotland’s first World Cup squad in 28 years.

The national team last appeared at the tournament in 1998, and Clarke’s side aims to make history in North America by becoming the first Scotland side to advance beyond the group stage.

Robertson, 32, will depart Liverpool at the end of the season after a nine‑year spell that produced two Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.

McGinn, 31, has been central to Villa’s resurgence, helping the club reach the Europa League final and secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Other selections include Napoli’s 2024/25 Serie A footballer of the year Scott McTominay, club‑mate Billy Gilmour, and Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson.

Striker Lawrence Shankland, who scored 16 goals and added five assists in 29 league matches to nearly carry Hearts to the Scottish Premiership title, is also in the squad.

Ross Stewart, a striker with English Championship side Southampton, has been added, and 43‑year‑old Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is named in the 26‑man roster.

Stewart has been absent from international duty for four years, with both of his senior Scotland caps earned in 2022. He has, however, netted 11 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions for Southampton this season, including a goal in the Championship play‑off semi‑final victory over Middlesbrough.

Scotland’s Group C opponents are Haiti (June 13), Morocco (June 19) and five‑time world champions Brazil (June 24). The first two matches will be held in Massachusetts, while the final game takes place in Miami.

Clarke’s team will face Curacao in a friendly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park on May 30, followed by a final warm‑up match against Bolivia in New Jersey on June 6.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq/KSA), Aaron Hickey (Brentford/ENG), Dom Hyam (Wrexham/ENG), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb/CRO), Nathan Patterson (Everton/ENG), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool/ENG), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth/ENG), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock, on loan from Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna/ITA), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth/ENG), Billy Gilmour (Napoli/ITA), John McGinn (Aston Villa/ENG), Kenny McLean (Norwich/ENG), Scott McTominay (Napoli/ITA)

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino/ITA), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton/ENG), George Hirst (Ipswich/ENG), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton/ENG)

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