Scotland Euro 2024 squad: 6 players to watch as injuries mount including Hearts, ex-Hibs and ex-Rangers stars

Six outsiders who could make Scotland's Euro 2024 squad as injuries mount

Scotland Under-21s and Bristol City forward Tommy Conway. Cr. SNS Group.

Tommy Conway - Bristol City - 0 caps

An alternative striking option at the top end of the pitch for Scotland this summer could be Tommy Conway. The young striker is a regular with the Under-21s and was invited to train with Steve Clarke’s senior squad last summer, where he reportedly caught the eye of the Scotland boss. His form in the English Championship certainly indicates he could offer the frontline something too.

Alongside Lawrence Shankland, Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes there’s potential for a fourth striking option. Both Ross Stewart and Kevin Nisbet have endured an injury hit campaign after big summer moves, while Jacob Brown has appeared just 19 times for Luton Town. Meanwhile, Conway has flourished.

The hard working forward offers a ‘fox in the box’ option with instinctive finishing one of his key attributes. All of his goals this season have been inside the box and he offers a goal every 233 minutes played, which is statistically more impressive than other Scottish strikers such as Dykes (619 minutes per goal) and Brown (511 minutes per goal).

His chance conversion rate is impressive too, scoring nine goals from an xG of 7.51. In contrast, Dykes has scored four from an xG of 5.32 and Brown has scored two goals from an xG of 2.78. There’s evidence he is worth including as Scotland’s fourth striking option.

Josh Doig - Sassuolo - 0 caps

Yet to be capped by Scotland at senior level, the former Hibs left-back has made a name for himself in Italy, featuring regularly for both Hellas Verona and current club Sassuolo. His stand out statistics from this season are his 75 per cent accurate passing rate and 64 per cent win rate for tackles. These numbers are almost identical to Tierney, Robertson and Greg Taylor’s numbers - his direct competitors for a left-back slot.

Robertson and Tierney are two of Steve Clarke’s most important and experienced players though both have suffered plenty of injury issues over the past year. Still just 21-years-old, Clarke may opt to take Doig in order for offer him major tournament experience as he continues his progression to the senior set up and his statistics would back up this decision.

Ross McCrorie - Bristol City - 0 caps

The former Aberdeen man is yet to be capped at senior level and has not been part of a Scotland squad since June 2023. That said, he has proved to be a solid signing for English Championship side Bristol City and appears to have overcome his injury problems.

The 26-year-old’s main attribute is versatility. Capable of playing at right-back, right wing-back, centre-back and defensive midfield, McCrorie is a viable squad option with Lewis Ferguson, Grant Hanley, Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson all either injured or doubts for the tournament.

He missed the first half of the Robins’ season with injury but has played virtually every minute since January, recently helping his side string together a run of four clean sheets. Strong in the tackle and neat with his passing, including the former Rangers academy player would make sense for a number of reasons.

Stephen O’Donnell - Motherwell - 26 caps

The Motherwell defender has not appeared for Scotland since the summer of 2022 largely due to the emergence of Hickey, Patterson and Anthony Ralston. However, with two of those now a doubt for the tournament - could O’Donnell provide an experienced and trusted option? Stranger things have happened.

Despite competition from on-loan Rangers defender Adam Devine, the 31-year-old has managed to force his way back into the Motherwell squad and was particularly impressive in the recent games with St Mirren and Aberdeen. He has shown versatility too, offering Stuart Kettlewell an option on the right-hand side of a back three.

He’s played double the games McCrorie and Ralston have this season and, while he does lag behind them both in the statistics, it could be argued he offers a more experienced and match fit option than both.

Stephen Kingsley - Hearts - 2 caps

Similar to McCrorie, the 29-year-old Hearts man offers Scotland versatility in an area that has been dogged by injuries. Capable of playing on the left-hand side of a back three, left-back or left-wing back, Kingsley has enjoyed another productive season with the Jambos who look destined for a third place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

While Robertson, Taylor and Doig are ahead of him in the left-back/left-wing back slot, his ability to slot into the left hand side of a back three could be vital with Tierney’s well documented injury issues a potential concern heading into the tournament. He’s one of the highest ranked Scottish Premiership defenders this season with a 7.07 average rating via FotMob and has an impressive 82 per cent passing rate with a 104 clearances and 57 headed clearances completed this season.

Dom Hyam - Blackburn Rovers - 1 cap

He made his one and only appearance for Scotland almost a year ago, however, a spate of injuries in defence could offer the Blackburn Rovers captain an unlikely call-up for the Scotland Euro 2024 squad.

Would it be deserved? Looking at his performances this term statistically, possibly. First and foremost, Hyam offers strong leadership as evidenced in last weekend’s shock win over Leeds United. However, perhaps more interestingly the 28-year-old defender has enjoyed a more productive campaign than first choice Scotland centre-back Jack Hendry.

Hyam offers better numbers on tackles won and headed clearances and interceptions. He is also ahead of Ryan Porteous on tackles won and headed clearances. Grant Hanley’s injury and Scott McKenna’s lack of playing time could offer him a route back to the national team at the most crucial time.