Three capital based players in Scotland World Cup Qualifying squad

 

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)