Scotland boss Steve Clarke announced his latest squad for the national team’s international friendlies with Japan and the Ivory Coast, with fantastic news for Findlay Curtis.
Rangers duo John Souttar and Liam Kelly have kept their usual spots within the team ahead of the World Cup this summer, but a surprise Rangers-related inclusion has raised eyebrows.
Surprise inclusion
Out-on-loan winger Findlay Curtis has received his first call up to the senior team for the Hampden double-header after impressing during his loan spell with Kilmarnock.
He has impressed the supporters at Rugby Park since his January arrival, featuring regularly in a variety of positions.
Killie boss Neil McCann has stated that he “trusts” Curtis and has repeatedly praised the young wide man.
Making his mark
Kilmarnock supporter and journalist Laurie Finlayson earlier told Read Rangers that it was a struggle “not to fall in love with a loan player” like Curtis who was regularly “getting supporters excited” during his spell in Ayrshire.
He was described as “effective in getting [Killie] up the pitch” either from the flanks or when deployed as a full back and this adaptability may be what has caught the eye of Clarke.
The former Kilmarnock boss has shown a keenness to include players capable of playing multiple positions and Curtis’ newfound flexibility has seen him make the squad.
International pedigree
Curtis has featured for Scotland at youth level with under 21’s boss Scot Gemmill previously praising him following his Ibrox breakthrough.
He said Curtis “can be in the right place at the right time” and was “influencing games when given the opportunity.”
This praise may have also impacted Clarke’s decision, with the national bosses working closely within the SFA setup.
Within a return to Rangers on the horizon, it looks increasingly likely that Danny Rohl will be welcoming back a much improved and much more experienced player than the one who departed in January.
And he may also be welcoming back a player with World Cup experience.
Read Rangers analysis
Curtis has impressed so far at Killie, providing an assist in their victory over St Mirren last month.
In their recent victory over Premiership leaders Hearts, Curtis completed 6/6 of his attempted dribbles and won 80% of his duels.
Exactly, it seems, what Clarke is looking to add to his Scotland side.
It will be Kilmarnock that benefits from this massive lift for Findlay Curtis in the short-term, but the Scotland call is further vindication that Danny Rohl and Rangers made the correct decision to send the teenager out on loan.
