Craig Halkett, Zander Clark and Ross Stewart called up to Scotland squad for Poland friendly

Hearts defender Craig Halkett and Sunderland striker Ross Stewart have been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.

St Johnstone’s Zander Clark has also been added, replacing David Marshall for the friendlies against Poland and Austria or Wales.

Nottingham Forest’s Scott McKenna is injured and missed out on the Championship side’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

McKenna’s absence follows Liam Cooper and John Souttar being unavailable and left Clarke with limited options in central defence. Halkett will now get a chance to show the Scotland boss what he can do after an impressive season with Hearts.

Stewart’s inclusion increases the choices in attack and come in a season where the 25-year-old has bagged 22 goals in all competitions.

Scotland squad update:

IN: Craig Halkett, Zander Clark & Ross Stewart.
OUT: Scott McKenna & David Marshall. pic.twitter.com/YSCqskjvmC
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 21, 2022

Scotland face Poland in a fundraising friendly at Hampden on Thursday, March 24, with proceeds going to help UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

The national team were originally meant to play Ukraine in their World Cup play-off semi-final but that match has been postponed until June due to the Russian invasion and crisis in Eastern Europe.

Scotland will then play the team that loses the play-off semi-final between Wales and Austria. That friendly will take place away from home on March 29.