Findlay Curtis Earns Surprise Scotland Call-Up Ahead of Japan and Ivory Coast Friendlies

Scotland’s preparations for this summer’s World Cup have taken a dramatic turn, as teenage winger Findlay Curtis has been handed a surprise maiden call-up to Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Japan and Ivory Coast. The 19-year-old, currently on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers, is the headline addition to a group otherwise featuring familiar faces and a handful of notable returns. For Curtis, the news was nothing short of life-changing, and the emotional ripple effect reached all the way to his family’s living room.

“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t expect it at such a young age but it’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to get going,” Curtis told Kilmarnock’s in-house media channel, his pride unmistakable. “I got a call yesterday from the gaffer here and he said ‘you are in consideration for the (Scotland) set-up’. I was sitting thinking to myself: ‘This is mental’. He then phoned me and told me I was in the squad and I was just bursting with pride. I told my mum and dad and my mum started crying. It’s huge.”

It’s been a whirlwind year for Curtis, whose journey to international recognition has unfolded at breakneck speed. After a strong start to the season at Rangers—where he notched three goals in 26 appearances, including a memorable strike against Panathinaikos—Curtis found first-team opportunities limited after Danny Rohl replaced Russell Martin as manager in October. Still, he managed to contribute, setting up a goal against Porto in January before making the switch to Rugby Park late in the winter transfer window. Since joining Kilmarnock, Curtis has racked up six appearances, quickly impressing Neil McCann’s side and helping them notch a vital win over Premiership leaders Hearts. That result not only boosted Killie’s survival hopes but also allowed Rangers to close the gap in the title race.

Steve Clarke, Scotland’s head coach, has been keeping a close eye on Curtis. “He came into the Rangers team and I liked him and I thought he was quick, direct and tries to make things happen,” Clarke explained. “I’ve watched him a little bit on video, and went to watch him live at the weekend [against Hearts] and I thought he was decent. He is another young one. Everybody keeps going on about me, I don’t evolve or change the squad. But there is a natural evolution to any group of players. I’ve always tried to introduce young players when I feel it is the right time to introduce them. Findlay fits into that category at this moment in time.”

Clarke’s decision to bring in Curtis comes as Scotland look to inject fresh energy into their wide attacking areas—a position left thin with Bournemouth’s Ben Gannon-Doak sidelined as he recovers from a hamstring injury picked up in Scotland’s dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark last November. That victory at Hampden Park ended a 28-year wait for World Cup qualification, setting the stage for a summer of high expectations. “Hopefully Findlay can give us something similar [to Gannon-Doak], he’s not exactly the same type of player as Ben, but something similar,” Clarke added. “And you’ve always got to be looking ahead, whether it’s me or the next head coach you’ve got to try to gather players who are going to get experience in and around the squad.”

While Curtis is the only new face, several familiar names return to the fold. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is back in the squad, replacing the injured Craig Gordon, even though Gunn has played only 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season. In defense, Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Wrexham’s Dom Hyam return after injury layoffs, while Grant Hanley keeps his place despite limited club action. Midfielders Billy Gilmour (Napoli) and Andy Irving (Sparta Prague) are back, with Gilmour fully recovered from his own injury setback. Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway also earns a recall, bolstering the attacking options alongside Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, and George Hirst. Notably, Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland and Brentford’s Aaron Hickey miss out due to injury, while Hellas Verona’s Kieron Bowie is absent following his January move from Hibernian.

Clarke’s squad for the friendlies is as follows: Goalkeepers Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), and Liam Kelly (Rangers); defenders Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al-Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), and Kieran Tierney (Celtic); midfielders Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli), and Lennon Miller (Udinese); forwards Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton), and George Hirst (Ipswich).

Scotland’s warm-up schedule begins with a home clash against Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday, March 28, followed by a trip to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Ivory Coast on Tuesday, March 31. The friendly against Japan is especially significant: it marks Scotland’s first return to Hampden since clinching World Cup qualification, while the Ivory Coast match represents the first-ever meeting between the two nations. There’s palpable excitement around these fixtures, with fans eager to see if Curtis will earn his first senior cap and how the squad will gel ahead of their Group C campaign in the United States this June.

Assistant coach Steven Naismith has voiced his optimism about Scotland’s prospects, stating, “If I’m honest, if you looked at the teams involved and our squad and where it’s at, before the draw even came out, I had a feeling that was our aim. The manager’s been very big on this way back to when we narrowly missed out in the Ukraine play-off, that we can not just get to the finals, we can definitely progress. The games are all going to be tough, the conditions are going to be tough, but that’s the same for everybody. I definitely feel we’ve got what it takes within the group to progress and be the first team to do that at the World Cup.”

For Curtis, the call-up is a testament to persistence and adaptability. His early-season exploits at Ibrox, followed by a productive loan spell at Kilmarnock, have clearly caught the national selectors’ eyes. Former Rangers boss Danny Rohl praised Curtis’s growth, saying, “Sometimes when you speak with a player and give him some examples… I think Findlay understood my words… Since then, he has exactly the mindset. Today he was brave, also with nice possession. I must say, for 1-0, I liked this match because we were on the front foot, won the ball high up the pitch against a team who are not easy to press.”

As Scotland gear up for a pivotal stretch—first with these friendlies, then with World Cup group games against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil—the focus will be on how new additions like Curtis can complement a core of seasoned internationals. The road ahead won’t be easy, with fierce competition and high expectations, but the inclusion of fresh talent signals a willingness to evolve and take risks. For now, all eyes are on Hampden Park, where a young winger’s dream could become a nation’s next big story.