Scotland Boosts Squad with David Bates Ahead of North Macedonia Clash

David Bates is poised to make a long-awaited return to the Scotland national team, potentially earning his first cap in seven years. The centre-back has been added to the squad for the upcoming matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Currently playing for Amedspor in Turkey, Bates last represented Scotland in 2019, and he takes the place of Luis Binks, who has had to withdraw from the squad. At 30, Bates has gathered a wealth of experience across clubs in Belgium, England, and Germany, with his most notable stint at Mechelen. In addition to Bates, Sebastien Pocognoli can count on Luke Graham, Jack Hendry, and Ryan Porteous as other central defensive options. Notably, Kieran Tierney can also slot into the back three, providing additional flexibility. Luis Binks made a promising start to his international career, earning three caps in Scotland's opening Nations League matches, where the team secured four points. In contrast, North Macedonia, who will visit Hampden Park this Friday, has yet to register a point in the tournament, trailing Slovenia by three points and Switzerland, who leads with a perfect record. As the team gears up for this critical fixture, Porteous's journey from Dalkeith to Los Angeles is paying off with his Scotland recall, while McTominay has shared insights about his heart treatment during the World Cup. Pocognoli is also looking to rely on a strong leadership group within the squad to navigate these challenging encounters.