43-year-old Gordon plus Curtis and Stewart named in Scotland's World Cup squad

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has named Craig Gordon, Findlay Curtis and Ross Stewart in his 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Hearts goalkeeper Gordon, 43, missed out on the last Euros but takes his place alongside Angus Gunn of Nottingham Forest and Liam Kelly of Rangers - despite the trio not featuring regularly at club level this season.

Clarke has shown loyalty throughout his tenure and that remains with this group. Eight defenders and seven midfielders who featured in every qualification group are in.

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In the back-line that includes some of those you'd expect, like captain Andy Robertson, Celtic's Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey of Brentford, plus there's Celtic's Anthony Ralston, Rangers' John Souttar and Grant Hanley of Hibernian, who was a fitness doubt.

Then you've got midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored that overhead kick against Denmark, alongside the likes of John McGinn, Ben Gannon-Doak and Kenny McLean, yes the one who scored from the halfway line.

There is also a spot for Bologna's Lewis Ferguson, and Curtis, who has been rewarded for an impressive end to the season on loan at Kilmarnock.

The Rangers winger, 19, earned his first cap against Japan in March and has caught the eye of Clarke after that loan spell during the second half of the campaign.

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At the top end of the pitch, Stewart's only two caps came in June 2022, but he is now on the plane to the USA after an impressive end to the season at Southampton.

He'll be joined by Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, who scored 16 goals in a season where he almost fired the club to the league title, plus Ipswich's George Hirst, who featured in every qualification squad, and the duo Clarke has relied upon most - Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes.

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Finlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton).

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Ross Stewart has been blighted by constant setbacks since arriving at Southampton for a hefty fee in 2023, managing just 17 appearances in his first two seasons at the club.

This campaign he has finally started to show the Saints support what they have been missing, reaching double figures for goals in 33 appearances - only 15 of which were starts.

Now 29, you wonder where he would be without the injuries. He is sharp in front of goal, while also possessing all the attributes of an imperious targetman.

During his time at Sunderland, it did seem as though his trajectory could end in the Premier League.

He has benefited in the second half of the campaign from being able to rotate with Cyle Larin, with doubts remaining over his ability to play back-to-back games.

But he showed what impact he can have in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, leaping powerfully and rising highest to score a vital header that led to Southampton's comeback and ultimate victory over Middlesbrough.