Latest news with #KieronBowie
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Is Clarke's squad a glimpse into Scotland's future?
Steve Clarke has picked 12 players that are 25 or younger in his latest Scotland squad [Getty Images] International friendly: Scotland v Iceland When: Friday 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Advertisement Steve Clarke is no stranger to adapting and evolving as Scotland manager. During his six years in charge of the national team, he has chopped and changed the makeup of his squad, reaching two major finals in the process. A place at the World Cup is the next target for Clarke's Scotland, 27 years since their last appearance at the showpiece event in 1998. The 61-year-old has selected seven uncapped players for this month's friendly matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein as they gear up for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets under way in September. Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie and Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig are included, as are midfield trio Connor Barron of Rangers, West Ham United's Andy Irving and Lennon Miller of Motherwell. Advertisement Goalkeepers Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker are the other two players yet to make their full international debuts. On the face of it, it appears Clarke is looking to the future, but what can we learn from his new-look squad? Blend of youth & experience One thing that stands out, in addition to the numerous uncapped players, is the volume of younger faces. Of the 25-man squad, 12 are aged 25 or younger with their best years stretching ahead of them. Lewis Ferguson is one of them. The Bologna captain continued his superb story on the continent by winning the Coppa Italia last season, but has struggled for regular starts in the dark blue of his country. Advertisement With Kenny McLean not included and Ryan Christie recovering from injury, he has an opportunity to stake his place in midfield alongside Billy Gilmour. Max Johnston, 21, and the returning Nathan Patterson, 23, could be handed opportunities to impress with Anthony Ralston - the other right-back in the squad - second choice at Celtic. Hearts' James Wilson and Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway join Bowie as the other youthful striking options. There is still a familiar feel to the spine of the squad though. Wiser heads like captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Serie A MVP Scott McTominay remain, as Scotland seek momentum before the games that matter. Uncertainty remains in goal [Getty Images] Not long ago, Scotland had an abundance of quality goalkeeping talent at their disposal. Advertisement Any one of Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor or David Marshall were comfortable at international level. These days, the resources between the sticks are less plentiful, to say the least. Gordon is now 42 and not included in this squad due to injury. It seems highly unlikely that even a man of his talent and resilience would feature at the 2026 World Cup if Scotland were to get there. Angus Gunn took the gloves at Euro 2024, but has made high-profile errors for both club and country and is now a free agent after being released by Norwich City. That leaves the uncapped Slicker and McCrorie, both with limited experience at club level. Advertisement Clarke must either back Gunn or put his faith in one of his untested shot stoppers. Which uncapped players might catch Clarke's eye? Of the uncapped players, Miller undoubtedly has the most hype around him. Motherwell's 18-year-old midfielder has improved at a remarkable rate since making his senior club debut aged just 16. He won the PFA Scotland young player of the year award last month after a season in which he scored four goals and assisted seven in 36 games. Miller is expected to leave Fir Park for a sizeable transfer fee, one which could be bolstered should he make his Scotland bow against Iceland or Liechtenstein. Advertisement "I could maybe, in a couple of months, be the best player there," Miller said after his first Scotland call-up in March. He later clarified his comments, saying the speed of that claim was a "mistake", but reiterating his desire to be the best player he possibly can be. Short of confidence, he is not. Bowie is another who will fancy making an impact, should the opportunity arise. Quick, strong and imposing, he scored six goals in his first season for Hibs after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Scotland Under-21s. "Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out," Clarke said when naming his squad. "He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game. Advertisement "Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players. "You're looking for somebody to catch your eye."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What can we learn from Clarke's fresh-faced Scotland squad?
International friendly: Scotland v IcelandWhen: Friday 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Steve Clarke is no stranger to adapting and evolving as Scotland his six years in charge of the national team, he has chopped and changed the makeup of his squad, reaching two major finals in the process.A place at the World Cup is the next target for Clarke's Scotland, 27 years since their last appearance at the showpiece event in 61-year-old has selected seven uncapped players for this month's friendly matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein as they gear up for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets under way in September. Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie and Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig are included, as are midfield trio Connor Barron of Rangers, West Ham United's Andy Irving and Lennon Miller of Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker are the other two players yet to make their full international the face of it, it appears Clarke is looking to the future, but what can we learn from his new-look squad? Blend of youth & experience One thing that stands out, in addition to the numerous uncapped players, is the volume of younger the 25-man squad, 12 are aged 25 or younger with their best years stretching ahead of Ferguson is one of them. The Bologna captain continued his superb story on the continent by winning the Coppa Italia last season, but has struggled for regular starts in the dark blue of his Kenny McLean not included and Ryan Christie recovering from injury, he has an opportunity to stake his place in midfield alongside Billy Johnston, 21, and the returning Nathan Patterson, 23, could be handed opportunities to impress with Anthony Ralston - the other right-back in the squad - second choice at James Wilson and Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway join Bowie as the other youthful striking is still a familiar feel to the spine of the squad though. Wiser heads like captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Serie A MVP Scott McTominay remain, as Scotland seek momentum before the games that matter. Uncertainty remains in goal Not long ago, Scotland had an abundance of quality goalkeeping talent at their one of Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor or David Marshall were comfortable at international days, the resources between the sticks are less plentiful, to say the is now 42 and not included in this squad due to injury. It seems highly unlikely that even a man of his talent and resilience would feature at the 2026 World Cup if Scotland were to get there. Angus Gunn took the gloves at Euro 2024, but has made high-profile errors for both club and country and is now a free agent after being released by Norwich leaves the uncapped Slicker and McCrorie, both with limited experience at club must either back Gunn or put his faith in one of his untested shot stoppers. Which uncapped players might catch Clarke's eye? Of the uncapped players, Miller undoubtedly has the most hype around 18-year-old midfielder has improved at a remarkable rate since making his senior club debut aged just won the PFA Scotland young player of the year award last month after a season in which he scored four goals and assisted seven in 36 is expected to leave Fir Park for a sizeable transfer fee, one which could be bolstered should he make his Scotland bow against Iceland or Liechtenstein."I could maybe, in a couple of months, be the best player there," Miller said after his first Scotland call-up in later clarified his comments, saying the speed of that claim was a "mistake", but reiterating his desire to be the best player he possibly can be. Short of confidence, he is is another who will fancy making an impact, should the opportunity strong and imposing, he scored six goals in his first season for Hibs after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Scotland Under-21s."Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out," Clarke said when naming his squad. "He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game."Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players."You're looking for somebody to catch your eye."
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
The 10 Hibs stars on international duty as Easter Road men go global
Hibs stars have been rewarded for a top season with call-ups to their national teams. After a third place finish in the Premiership, no fewer than 10 first team players are off to international camps. One of which is Jack Iredale, who has been called up to the Australia national team for matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia on 5 June and 11 June. He said: "It was a tough start but we managed to turn things around in November and went on a really good run. At the start of the season we set ourselves a goal of European football and finishing third means we've hopefully got a qualifying place. Now I come into the camp with really high confidence after a positive season and I'm just trying to keep things going from there.' Who else is on international duty alongside the defender? We take a look. 1 . Kieron Bowie - Scotland Has landed his first senior Scotland call after impressing Steve Clarke. Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . Jack Iredale - Australia As mentioned above, in the Australian team for the first time. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . Jordan Obita - Uganda Selected by the Cranes for the first time after featuring for England at youth level. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . Rocky Bushiri - DR Congo Looking to build on his first competitive appearance earlier this year. | SNS Group Photo Sales Related topics: Premiership
The Courier
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Raith Rovers to miss out on Kieron Bowie international cash windfall
Raith Rovers will miss out on a cash windfall if Kieron Bowie makes his Scotland debut in the forthcoming friendlies. The Hibernian striker has received his first full call-up after impressing with the Easter Road club this term. The 22-year-old netted six times in 22 appearances in a campaign that was interrupted by a serious hamstring injury sustained on duty with Scotland U/21s in September. Bowie first made his name as a raw youngster with Raith, where he made his first-team breakthrough aged just 16 in February 2019. An impressive start to the following season attracted interest from down south and the powerful marksman agreed a deal to join Fulham in July 2020. His subsequent move to Hibs in August last year landed Rovers a six-figure bonanza as part of the 'sell-on' deal struck with the English Premier League club when he moved to London. Further add-ons were also included in Bowie's move south. However, for Raith to have benefitted financially from his international bow it is understood it would have had to have come before he left Fulham. Instead, the Kirkcaldy club will have to content themselves with a sense of pride if 'Ziggy' does play for Steve Clarke's side against either Iceland or Liechtenstein. 'Congratulations to former Rover Kieron Bowie on his first senior international call-up,' said Raith of Bowie's inclusion in the Scotland squad. 'Well deserved, Ziggy!'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Iconic Hibee' Boyle backed to 'deliver even more next season'
We asked you for you thoughts on Martin Boyle after the Hibs forward signed a one-year contract extension before taking his goals tally for the season to 20 with a header in the final-day draw with what some of you had to say:Alan: Total no-brainer. Since the November turnaround, Boyle been fantastic and scored pivotal goals to ensure third spot. The thought of Kieron Bowie and Boyle on form is a joy to think of. And then there is the returning Dylan Vente to ponder. With extended European games we need this quality... now get Rocky Bushiri to stay as well!David: Martin Boyle - Hibs legend. Most iconic Hibee in the 21st century!Philip: No team can achieve much without a player like Martin. He's not so fast over distance but he's replacing that with short bursts of movement that his team-mates understand but nobody else does. I can see him ageing into a supersub, a bit like we've had from Dwight Gayle. These guys are so important. They turn draws into An absolute no-brainer extending Squirrel's contract. He has been an outstanding servant to our great club and he will be mightily relieved at this outcome as well! What a great time to be a Hibby!Matt: Easiest decision to make this season - he's quality and still so dangerous. He'll be fired up next season for European football as well as keeping himself firmly in the Australia World Cup squad, so there's plenty more to come from Martin Boyle in a Hibs shirt. Now, get Rocky A no-brainer, one of the best forward in the league. I'm sure he'll deliver even more next season in Scotland and in Europe.
