Scotland without injured McGinn & McKenna for Nations League

John McGinn and Scott McKenna will both miss Scotland’s Nations League double header against Croatia and Portugal through injury but goalkeeper Craig Gordon has returned to the group.

McGinn, 29, is expected to miss three or four weeks with a hamstring strain picked up in Aston Villa’s victory over Wolves last month and, unusually, is forced to sit out an international break.

Centre-back McKenna, 27, has missed Las Palmas’ last three matches with a hamstring issue. However, midfielder Ryan Gauld – who earned his first two caps as a substitute in September’s matches – makes the squad despite being absent for Vancouver Whitecaps in recent weeks.

There are first call-ups for Aberdeen full-back Nicky Devlin, Preston North End centre-back Liam Lindsay and West Ham United midfielder Andy Irving.

Scotland face Croatia in Zagreb on 12 October before Portugal visit Hampden three days later.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 88th-minute winner in Lisbon last month consigned Steve Clarke’s side to consecutive defeats in Nations League A, after Poland also struck late to win 3-2 in Glasgow.

It means Scotland have won just once in their last 14 outings as Clarke contends with a series of injuries to key players with Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Brentford’s Aaron Hickey both still missing.

Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson is not yet fully fit after a knee injury sustained in April, and defender Nathan Patterson has only just returned to action for Everton reserves.

Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway also misses out on the latest squad with an injury.

It was thought goalkeeper Gordon, 41, might have played his last game for Scotland when he earned his 75th cap against Finland in June.

However, having been reinstated as Hearts’ first choice goalkeeper this season, Gordon is preferred to his club team-mate Zander Clark, with Norwich City’s Angus Gunn and Dundee’s Jon McCracken also selected.

With all the injuries to regular squad members, Clarke has handed opportunities to three uncapped players as he looks to plug holes and boost his options.

Devlin has been magnificent at right-back for Aberdeen this season, as they have won their first 12 games in all competitions.

The 30-year-old signed for the Dons in 2023 from Livingston and has played every minute in the league this season under manager Jimmy Thelin. He gets his chance to impress with Hickey and Patterson on the sidelines.

It’s been a more difficult start to the season for PNE and Lindsay. The Championship side have shipped 12 goals in their seven league games and sit 22nd in the league table on five points.

The Glasgow-born defender started his career at Partick Thistle, before spells with Barnsley and Stoke City.

But the most remarkable story of the three first-time call-ups is Irving.

Having come through the Heart of Midlothian academy and established himself in the first team, he then took the unusual step of moving to the relatively unknown German side Turkgucu Munchen when his Hearts deal expired.

He then moved to SK Austria Klagenfurt, and impressed in the Austrian top flight, so much so that West Ham took a punt on him in January 2023.

After spending six months back in Klagenfurt on loan, the left-footed playmaker has made two Premier League appearances this season under manager Julien Lopetegui.

A Scotland debut would cap a rapid rise for the 24-year-old, who less than three years ago was playing in the German third division.

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), Jon McCracken (Dundee).

Defenders: Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Liam Lindsay (Preston North End), Ryan Porteous (Watford), John Souttar (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay (both Napoli), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Andy Irving (West Ham United).

Forwards: Ben Doak (Middlesbrough), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham City), Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian).