Kristi Montgomery has been named as the only replacement in Sebastien Pocognoli’s Scotland squad after further changes left the head coach with another adjustment to make ahead of the opening four Nations League fixtures.
The 22-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder comes into a group that had already been made younger before these latest absences. Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams were already missing from the original selection, and now Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney have also dropped out.
Montgomery gets his chance
For Montgomery, this is a significant step. He is uncapped, but he arrives having completed the full 90 minutes in Blackburn Rovers’ 2-2 draw with Portsmouth, which at least gives Pocognoli a player who is match sharp and used to a full workload.
McLean’s withdrawal is understandable given the circumstances. He picked up a knock while playing the full 90 minutes and captaining his side in a 4-3 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers, and Scotland have chosen not to take any chances with his fitness.
That leaves Pocognoli with a squad that is still taking shape in his first period as Scotland head coach. The absence of two experienced names changes the balance again, but it also opens the door for a younger player to step in and make an early impression.
A younger Scotland group
The direction of travel is clear. Scotland’s squad had already been reshaped before these latest withdrawals, and the call-up for Montgomery underlines that Pocognoli is working with a group that is being refreshed while still carrying responsibility for a demanding set of fixtures.
The immediate question now is whether Montgomery can make the most of the opportunity. With four Nations League fixtures coming up, there is real value in having players ready to contribute quickly, especially when the squad is already dealing with several absences.
For Scotland, the update is simple: two more players are out, and Kristi Montgomery is the one brought in to help fill the gap.
