World Cup qualifying: Denmark v Scotland
Venue:Parken, CopenhagenDate:Friday, 5 SeptemberKick-off:19:45 BST
Coverage:Watch live on My Newspaper Scotland, My Newspaper iPlayer and My Newspaper Sport website & app, text updates on My Newspaper Sport website & app, listen on My Newspaper Radio Scotland & Sounds
Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston have withdrawn from Scotland’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers in Denmark and Belarus, with Josh Doig called up as cover.
Both Celtic defenders played in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Rangers, although Ralston appeared to suffer a knock in the Champions League play-off defeat by Kairat four days before that.
The right-back started both legs of Scotland’s Nations League play-off loss to Greece in March and won his 21st cap in the 4-0 friendly win against Liechtenstein in June.
Tierney, capped 50 times, has yet to play 90 minutes in six outings this season.
“Tony didn’t actually join us,” Scotland head coach Steve Clarke explained. “Kieran came in, he had a knock.”
And Clarke added: “Tony’s been at his club. Tony picked up an injury I think last mid-week in the European game that he managed to play through the Old Firm game.
“Everybody was agreed that [Tierney’s injury] would settle down in a few days. It didn’t settle down so obviously the most sensible thing is for Kieran to go back to his club.
“Obviously, disappointed that Kieran’s not with us. When I named the squad I picked a group of five centre-backs so it gives me options to play different ways.”
Brentford’s Hickey, 23, is fit again after a near-two year absence following major hamstring problems.
When announcing the squad last week, Clarke said of Hickey: “He’s good to go. Whether he’s good to go 90 minutes over two games is a different conversation. We’ll manage him.”
Twice-capped recent Derby County signing Max Johnston is the other right-back option for Clarke, with Sassuolo’s Doig, capped once, boosting options at left-back.
Liverpool left-back and Scotland captain Andy Robertson has flitted between his natural position and left wing-back for the national team in recent years. He is yet to start for his club this season.
Clarke was asked if he was concerned about Robertson’s game time and the head coach replied: “Short answer, no. More elongated answer is he’ll get plenty of minutes on the pitch.
“Liverpool will be challenging for the Premier League, they’ll be challenging for the League Cup, they’ll be challenging for the FA Cup, they’ll go far in the Champions League. So, they’ve got lots of matches to play. Andy will play more than enough football.
“Josh has come in. He came in in the summer and was really impressive. He’s improving, he’s maturing all the time. Obviously, got promotion with his team in Italy this year so a good season in Serie A for him will make him a better player.”
Scotland begin their campaign in Copenhagen on Friday before travelling to Hungary to face Belarus on Monday, with both games to be shown live across the My Newspaper.
