Kristi Montgomery Earns First Scotland Call-Up as Tierney and McLean Withdraw

Kristi Montgomery has received her first call-up to the Scotland national team, with head coach Sebastien Pocognoli promoting the Blackburn Rovers midfielder from the under-21 squad. This comes as Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean have withdrawn from the Nations League squad.

Montgomery, 22, has been a consistent starter for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship this season, appearing in all eight league matches. Her inclusion marks one of eight uncapped players in the 27-strong squad, joining other new faces like Luke Graham, Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake, and Stephen Welsh.

Tierney, a Celtic defender, and Norwich midfielder McLean bring a combined 119 international caps to the team, and their absence will be felt. Experienced players Scott McTominay, Che Adams, and Lawrence Shankland were already unavailable prior to Pocognoli's selection.

Several players have been recalled to the squad, including Oli McBurnie, Scott Bain, Kieron Bowie, Josh Doig, Lennon Miller, and James Wilson. Additionally, Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour returns after recovering from an injury that kept him out of the World Cup.

Players overlooked for this squad include Dominic Hyam, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Grant Hanley, Anthony Ralston, and Ross Stewart. Notably, Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher has been selected for the under-21s, taking over Gilmour's previous spot in the USA squad.