Steven Naismith has been called up to the Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and Belgium.
The Hearts forward has 49 caps for his country to date, and revealed he’d spoken with Scotland boss Steve Clarke over the summer about his international prospects, as well as a potential return to Kilmarnock.
He is now in line to hit the 50 cap mark should he feature in either of the qualifiers – Scotland’s toughest of the campaign to date.
His last appearance in dark blue came during a 3-1 friendly defeat to Portugal at Hampden last October, in which he scored a late consolation.
Naismith has missed Hearts’ last two matches with a tight hamstring having come off during the 0-0 draw with Ross County at Tynecastle.
He wasn’t risked for the 2-1 Betfred Cup win at Motherwell, nor Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park.
Manager Craig Levein is hopeful he will be back for Saturday’s game against Hamilton and Steve Clarke clearly expects him to be available by the time the Scots face Russia on 6 September.
One player who won’t be facing Accies this weekend is goalkeeper Joel Pereira. He suffered a thigh knock at the weekend and has returned to parent club Manchester United for treatment.
The Portuguese isn’t expected to be out for long and will return to Edinburgh before the end of the upcoming international break.
Scotland squad in full
Goalkeepers
Craig MacGillvray (Portsmouth); David Marshall (Wigan); Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland)
Defenders
Liam Cooper (Leeds United); Grant Hanley (Norwich); Charlie Mulgrew (Wigan); Stephen O’Donnell (Kilmarnock); Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday); Andy Robertson (Liverpool); Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock)
Midfielders
Stuart Armstrong (Southampton); Ryan Christie (Celtic); Ryan Jack (Rangers); John McGinn (Aston Villa); Callum McGregor (Celtic); Kenny McLean (Norwich); Scott McTominay (Manchester United); Robert Snodgrass (West Ham); James Forrest (Celtic); Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
Forwards
Oli McBurnie (Sheffield United); Steven Naismith (Hearts); Matt Phillips (West Brom); Johnny Russell (Kansas City)
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