Gordon Strachan has named his Scotland squad for the final FIFA World Cup Qualifying double-header against Slovakia and Slovenia.
After winning back-to-back matches against Lithuania and Malta in September, Scotland go into the final round of matches with their destiny in their own hands, knowing that two victories would all but guarantee a play-off spot.
Hibs duo Steven Whittaker and John McGinn are included in the squad alongside Christophe Berra from Hearts.
On-form striker Leigh Griffiths, one of six Celtic players in the squad, will be hoping to build on his recent impressive performances for the national team that have seen him grab three goals and three assists in his last three matches for Scotland.
There is a recall for centre half Liam Cooper, who has played a pivotal role in Leeds United’s rise to the top of the English Championship.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers
Jordan Archer (Millwall)
Craig Gordon (Celtic)
Allan McGregor (Hull City)
Defenders
Ikechi Anya (Derby County)
Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian)
Grant Hanley (Norwich City)
Liam Cooper (Leeds United)
Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers)
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
Steven Whittaker (Hibernian)
Midfielders
Stuart Armstrong (Celtic)
Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Darren Fletcher (Stoke City)
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
James Forrest (Celtic)
James McArthur (Crystal Palace)
John McGinn (Hibernian)
James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)
Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion)
Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United)
Robert Snodgrass (Aston Villa)*
Forwards
Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday)
Leigh Griffiths (Celtic)
Chris Martin (Derby County)
*On loan from West Ham United
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers
Scotland v Slovakia
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Thursday, 5 October 2017, kick-off 7.45pm
Slovenia v Scotland
Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana
Sunday, 8 October 2017, kick-off 5pm (UK time)
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
