But the loss of Gunn - who has performed superbly for the national team in their World Cup qualifiers against Denmark, Greece and Belarus this season despite not featuring for his Premier League club once – to injury has exacerbated an already difficult situation further at the worst time imaginable.

Clarke yesterday named Scott Bain of Falkirk, Craig Gordon of Hearts and Liam Kelly of Rangers in his 25-man squad for the Group C meetings with Greece in Piraeus on Saturday, November 15, and Denmark in Glasgow three days later.

However, Bain won the last of his three caps six-and-a-half years ago in a Euro 2020 qualifier against San Marino. Kelly has been involved in just one competitive fixture, a Premier Sports Cup tie against Alloa in August, in the 2025/26 campaign. Gordon, meanwhile, has not been sighted on a pitch since May and turns 43 next month.

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Scotland, who clinched second spot in their section and a World Cup play-off spot in the international window last month, can book their place in the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer if they win both...