New Scotland Under 21s head coach Tony Docherty has released four senior players from his squad for the final group game in Bulgaria, choosing to focus on the next generation.
Scotland face Bulgaria in Pazardzhik in a dead rubber after being eliminated from Euro 2027 qualifying with two games to spare. Captain Jeremiah Mullen, former Rangers striker Dire Mebude, Manchester City's Emilio Lawrence and Partick Thistle's Ben McPherson have all been allowed to go home.
Record chance missed
Mullen, who moved to Wigan in the summer, would have won his 24th and final Under 21s cap, making him joint-third in the all-time appearance list behind Christian Dailly and Steven Pressley. However, Docherty wants to give younger players a chance with an eye on the next qualifying campaign.
Scotland need to avoid defeat in Bulgaria to secure third place in the group and a spot in pot three for the next tournament.
Docherty explains decision
Docherty said: "We obviously knew before the Azerbaijan game we weren't able to qualify so I feel it is important we look at the next stage of the journey. So with that in mind, we have allowed Ben, Jez, Dire and Emilio to go home after I had discussions with them."
He added: "It was a really mature conversation and we spoke about how my priority now is with the younger players, so they will go back to their clubs. We put them in front of the group to give them a wee round of applause for all their help. So we would like to thank them. We move on now and they won't be available. We had a big squad for that reason."
Building an identity
Docherty stressed the importance of developing the group's identity: "It's important that the group evolves. I am really keen to create an identity here and a DNA. It's vital that even the ones who were not stripped at Kilmarnock can see the way we work in the group, what the expectations and standards are, so when they come into the team, they know what to do. They are talented boys and we need to make sure the pathway is there for them."
He continued: "It's fluid, just like it is with the A squad - there are eight former Under 21s players in there and there are 13 boys in my squad now who are available for the next campaign. We have got to strengthen that. But this game against Bulgaria is of paramount importance. We will make sure we will do all we can to get in the best position for the next Euros."
Docherty also revealed Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli was pleased with the Under 21s' recent performance: "He was pleased and very encouraged with the performance. We are trying to make sure there is that clear identity with the A squad with the way that we play and in and out of possession. So he was pleased with that and pleased with a lot of individual performances. It was a good conversation and with Alan Irvine being at the game, it was a successful night and we will speak again after the next games."
Captaincy undecided
Manchester United and full Scotland international Tyler Fletcher wore the captain's armband at Rugby Park when Mullen was substituted off. Docherty has not yet chosen who will skipper the side in Bulgaria, saying: "We will speak about who will be captain with the staff. The good thing for me was that loads of players took responsibility the other night. We had a setback right away, but they all galvanised and showed real strength of character on the pitch. And even when they scored their second goal, we went up another level. It's important we took the positives, but we also need to identify things we could do better and I think I have got some really strong characters in the group."
