Scotland Rookie Findlay Curtis 'Bursting with Pride' After Shock Call-Up
Scotland's emerging talent Findlay Curtis has admitted he was 'bursting with pride' after receiving a shock first call-up to the national team, an emotional moment that even reduced his mother to tears. The 19-year-old winger, currently on loan at Kilmarnock from parent club Rangers, was named in Steve Clarke's squad on Monday for the upcoming friendlies against Japan and the Ivory Coast.
A Dream Come True at a Young Age
Curtis, who has been in impressive form for Kilmarnock since his loan move from Ibrox at the end of the January transfer window, described the selection as 'unbelievable'. Speaking to Killie's in-house media channel, he said: 'I didn't expect it at such a young age but it's a dream come true and I just can't wait to get going.'
The young player recounted the moment he learned of his inclusion: 'I got a call yesterday from the gaffer here [Neil McCann] and he said you're in the consideration set-up. I'm thinking to myself: "This is mental". Then he phoned me and said I'm in the full squad. I was bursting with pride and told my mum and dad. My mum started crying. It's huge.'
Clarke Sees Potential in Direct Winger
In the absence of the injured Ben Gannon-Doak, Clarke is exploring options in the wide areas, and the Scotland boss believes Curtis could make a similar impact. The young Killie winger, who broke into the Rangers team earlier this season, was the only uncapped player named in Clarke's 23-man squad.
Scotland will face Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday, March 28, before taking on the Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium three days later.
Clarke explained his decision: 'Findlay came into the Rangers team, I liked him. I thought he was quite direct, tries to make things happen. I went to watch him live at the weekend [against Hearts], I thought he was decent. He's quick, direct, asks defenders to defend, so it's something a little bit different.'
The manager added: 'Obviously Ben Gannon-Doak had a big, big impact on the squad, and certainly the media and the Scottish public, because he's something a little bit different. Findlay can hopefully give us something similar. He's not exactly the same type of player as Ben, but something similar.'
Squad Selection Reflects World Cup Preparations
While Curtis's inclusion was the major surprise, Clarke's squad showed few other shocks. Grant Hanley earns a place despite not playing for six weeks due to injury. At right-back, both Anthony Ralston and Nathan Patterson are included despite limited game time, while Ross McCrorie is playing regularly for Bristol City.
Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway is recalled, with Gannon-Doak still recovering from a five-month lay-off due to a hamstring injury. Injury has also ruled out Aaron Hickey, Craig Gordon, Lawrence Shankland, and Josh Doig.
Clarke addressed his selection philosophy: 'Obviously a squad where you're preparing for a World Cup in the summer is a little bit different. Some injuries, some boys right on the cusp of coming back from injury, whether to pick them, whether not to pick them. Some players who I feel I need to have a look at.'
The manager noted: 'There's a few players that could have been in the squad, are not in the squad, but I know what they can do. I've got other players that are in the squad that I'm maybe not convinced yet about what they can and can't do, so let's have a look and see what happens. There's always room for someone else. There's always room for an outsider.'
Clarke revealed that 'off the top of my head, there's probably four players that would have been in this squad if they hadn't been injured.'
Goalkeeping and Club Omissions Addressed
In goalkeeping selections, Falkirk's Scott Bain is the only keeper playing regularly, with Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly managing just four club games between them this season. Clarke said: 'It's something I'll have a chat with Chris Woods about, my goalkeeping coach. I'll have a chat with the goalies that are in the squad and then I'll decide.'
Notably, no Hearts or Motherwell players were included despite their impressive seasons, with Craig Halkett, Harry Milne, Elliott Watt, and Stephen Welsh among those missing out. Clarke commented: 'Both those teams have been exceptional this year. But maybe the team is better than the sum of the parts, which is a credit to the coaching staff and the managers.'
As Curtis prepares for his international debut, his emotional journey from a promising club player to a national team hopeful underscores the unpredictable nature of football selection and the profound personal significance of such achievements.
