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Scotland squad: John McGinn included for World Cup qualifier v Malta

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John McGinn in action for Scotland against Denmark in March

Hibernian midfielder John McGinn has been included in Gordon Strachan’s 27-man Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Malta on 4 September.

McGinn is joined by five others who have stepped up from the Under-21s.

Hearts duo Jack Hamilton and Callum Paterson, Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, Nottingham Forest midfielder Oliver Burke and Rangers forward Barrie McKay also feature in the squad.

But there are no places for strikers Ross McCormack or Jordan Rhodes.

Hull winger Shaun Maloney and Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean are also omitted.

Hearts keeper Hamilton and Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald are the only uncapped players in the squad, with Tierney, McGinn and McKay all hoping to add to their debut caps from the last six months.

Tierney and Celtic team-mates Craig Gordon, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths are all recalled after being rested for the end-of-season friendlies against Italy and France.

‘We’re weaker without Scott Brown’ – Strachan

With regular captain Scott Brown announcing his international retirement last week, manager Gordon Strachan says he has not yet spoken to any squad members about taking on the role.

West Brom midfielder Darren Fletcher took the armband for the matches against Italy and France, but Strachan would only confirm that he “will speak to Darren about it”.

Hull midfielder Robert Snodgrass told BBC Scotland on Sunday that he would happily “throw my name in the hat” as a candidate to succeed Brown.

Strachan said the squad would be “quieter” without the absent Celtic midfielder.

“I loved his company,” the manager said. “We just get on with it. We thank him, we respect his decision. It’s the best for Scott Brown.

“I was at Celtic Park last week to speak to him and people were saying how terrifically he’s doing and how I’ll enjoy that.

“We were giggling, because two weeks before he’d told me his decision. Midfield is one of our stronger areas, but we’re weaker without him.”

Analysis – BBC Scotland football reporter Richard Wilson:

“The Scotland squad is evolving under Gordon Strachan. Familiar faces remain as the foundation, but places for Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald, Hibernian’s John McGinn and Rangers’ Barrie McKay tell of new figures coming into prominence.

“Absences still draw attention, in particular no places for Ross McCormack, the striker who moved for £12m from Fulham to Aston Villa during the summer, or Shaun Maloney, who scored last weekend for Hull City on his return to the English Premier League.”

Scotland squad to face Malta

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), David Marshall (Cardiff City).

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Gordon Greer (Blackburn Rovers), Grant Hanley (Newcastle United), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Callum Paterson (Hearts), Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest), Darren Fletcher (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), Kevin McDonald (Fulham), John McGinn (Hibernian), Barrie McKay (Rangers), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United), Robert Snodgrass (Hull City).

Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Norwich City)

Scotland’s 2018 World Cup qualification fixtures
2016 2017
4 September: (a) v Malta 26 March: (h) v Slovenia
8 October: (h) v Lithuania 10 June: (h) v England
11 October: (a) v Slovakia 1 September: (a) v Lithuania
11 November: (a) v England 4 September: (h) v Malta
5 October: (h) v Slovakia
8 October: (a) v Slovenia

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