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International Friendly: Netherlands vs Scotland
Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam Date: Friday 22 March Start: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra and BBC Sounds, live text watching on the BBC Sport website and online app, highlights on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer from 10. 40pm.
Scott McKenna followed fellow centre-back Grant Hanley and left the Scotland squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.
McKenna, 27, on loan at FC Copenhagen from Nottingham Forest, will miss Friday’s game in Amsterdam and Tuesday’s match against Northern Ireland.
Hanley, 32, from Norwich City, had been called up through national coach Steve Clarke after a long absence due to an Achilles tendon injury.
The centre-backs who still contribute are Jack Hendry, Liam Cooper, Ryan Porteous and John Souttar.
Kieran Tierney is also used as a left-sided centre-back in the 3-5-2 formation that Clarke likes and no replacement has been called up for Hanley.
“We’ve been given enough policy in those positions, so I think we’re very pleased with what we’ve been given,” Deputy Director John Carver said after Hanley’s retirement earlier this week.
The Dutch become a credible force backing Scotland’s visit
Scotland is not far from being the best in Europe, according to Porteous
Dumfries-born Hanley has missed Norwich’s last two league games after limping following their defeat at Middlesbrough earlier this month.
Norwich manager David Wagner said after Saturday’s win at Stoke that Hanley and the club had to leave him out of the team’s education “because he’s not as explosive or as sharp as when he was at his best. “
“He’s a very physical defender,” Wagner added. If he’s physically at his best, then he’s one of the best, or the best, in the division. We were tasked with making sure of that, and he feels the same way, to get him back to that level.
“We’ve presented him with a real individual program in the next few weeks, or whatever it takes, to get back to that level.
“While we are pleased that his Achilles tendon is doing well, we want to return him to the explosive and sharp Grant Hanley he had before his injury. “
Gordon then reminded Clarke of the possible “difficult” options in Scotland.
Everything new from your Scotland Men’s National Team
Hanley’s retirement means he probably wouldn’t have played for the national team for more than a year (the last of his 48 caps was against Spain in March 2023) until the time Clarke selects his team for the European Championship.
“He’s a solid, experienced player. He’s smart on the team. He’s a player I call a man. You know what you’re going to get from Grant,” Clarke told the Scottish Football Association when he announced his team.
Clarke’s side will play in Amsterdam on Friday before Northern Ireland play at Hampden Park four days later, with both matches kicking off at 19:45 GMT.
Scotland will complete their preparations for Euro 2024 with friendlies Gibraltar and Finland in early June before opening the tournament, hosted by Germany.
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Craig Gordon (both Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic)). ), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
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