Tyler Fletcher has been handed a late call-up to the Scotland World Cup squad after Billy Gilmour withdrew through injury. The 19-year-old now has a fast-moving chance to push for his first appearance against Morocco on Friday.
Stephen Torpey on Fletcher
Stephen Torpey said he feels “super proud on a personal and professional level” for Fletcher, adding: “Having known the family and having known Tyler for a very long time, I feel super proud on a personal and professional level for him and for us.” Torpey also said, “Super proud and it does make you realise that the dreams that some of these young players have when they're growing up can sometimes come true. I'm sure that's the case here with Tyler.”
The Manchester United academy director described the situation as “pretty unique” and said: “Your father is an ex-player but also your twin brother is a player.” Fletcher has been following in Darren’s footsteps by playing for Scotland, while Jack has represented England at youth level.
Calmness around Tyler Fletcher
Torpey said Fletcher has been handled “with calmness and a quiet confidence in his ability,” adding that he is “going at his own pace in his own world” and that “we don't have to increase or slow that pace down at any point.”
That leaves Fletcher in a narrow window. Billy Gilmour’s withdrawal opened the door, and the 19-year-old now sits in the squad with one immediate target: a first appearance against Morocco on Friday. Torpey said there have been “a lot of people who would have been working for many, many years to support him,” and that this should be “just another milestone of a long career that he has.”
Morocco and Friday
For Scotland, the change is simple on paper and abrupt in practice. Fletcher is in, Gilmour is out, and the next step depends on whether the late addition turns into minutes against Morocco. For the player, the call-up has already changed the scale of the week.
