Scotland will face Greece in a World Cup qualifier in Piraeus on Saturday without the presence of Billy Gilmour, who has been sidelined due to injury.
The midfielder from Napoli, who missed the Italian club’s last two matches because of a groin strain, will also skip Scotland’s training sessions in Turkey this week.
Although there remains hope for the 24-year-old’s return against Denmark next Tuesday, missing him this weekend poses a challenge for head coach Steve Clarke.
The announcement of Gilmour’s unavailability coincided with the news that Lennon Miller and Ross McCrorie have also pulled out from the squad.
Miller was absent during Udinese’s 2-0 defeat to Roma on Sunday, and wing-back McCrorie was substituted 57 minutes into Bristol City’s stalemate with Watford last Friday.
Billy Gilmour will play no part in Scotland’s penultimate Group C World Cup qualifying match
Gilmour has missed Napoli’s last two games after picking up a groin injury earlier this month
Rangers midfielder Connor Barron has been called up to Steve Clarke’s injury-hit squad
In response, Clarke has called up Connor Barron from Rangers and Andy Irving from West Ham United to fill the gaps, yet the setback from Gilmour’s injury remains significant.
The former Chelsea player started alongside Kenny McLean in the 2-0 win over Belarus last month, which secured Scotland at least a play-off place.
A brief SFA statement read: ‘Billy Gilmour will not travel to the training camp in Turkey due to an injury, so will play no part in the game against Greece.’
It was the latest of several injury setbacks for Clarke, who is already without his first-choice goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, for a double-header that will determine who finishes top of Group C.
A point in Greece would give Scotland the chance to leapfrog current leaders Denmark by beating them in a winner-takes all showdown at Hampden.
It is a thrilling opportunity for Clarke and his players, who are desperate to take Scotland to a World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.
Hibs defender Grant Hanley admits that he is relishing the chance to make history after a career in which he has had his challenges to overcome.
The 33-year-old centre-back made his 11th start for Hibernian in the 3-0 weekend win over St Mirren and goes into the double-header in the rhythm of first-team football.
That has not always been the case for Hanley, who missed much of 2023 after rupturing his Achilles and made a total of 14 starts for Norwich and Birmingham over the course of the past two seasons.
The Dumfries-born defender said: ‘It’s probably the longest run of games since I ruptured my Achilles two-and-a-half years ago, which is clearly a positive.
‘After an injury like that, at the age I was, it’s difficult to get yourself going.
‘There’s been some difficult moments. Moments that have been really difficult to push through.
‘But here and now, I’m so glad I did because we picked up a positive result on Saturday, I’m really enjoying my football and I’m playing regularly for a couple of massive teams.
‘It means a lot to come up and play in a country that I’ve been called up for. The plan was to come and play for a massive club – which I’m doing – and also keep my international career going. So far, so good.
‘It was obviously a big part of coming to a club like this. But the reality is, you’ve got to get yourself on the pitch, you’ve got to get minutes and you’ve got to play well. Otherwise, the national team wouldn’t be a thing.’
Hibs are riding high in the Premiership and Scotland are two games away from reaching the World Cup finals, but Hanley knows better than to take anything for granted.
‘I’m more than aware what football’s like,’ the former Blackburn and Newcastle player added. ‘I’ve had enough tough moments and periods where it’s been difficult. I know it’s important to keep yourself level. I don’t think too far ahead of myself.
‘It’s about the fine details that go into it every day that are so important. It’s stuff I’ve picked up and learned along the way. Keep doing things as well as I can on and off the pitch and hopefully stay involved.
‘There was a period of time this summer where I was out of contract and there were days where you’re going running yourself.
‘It takes real grit and determination to take yourself through that and put yourself in a position where you’re fit enough to come in to a team where the competition’s so high in every position. That’s the reason you work so hard.’
