Scotland will 'manage' Hickey as full-back returns

Aaron Hickey is "good to go" for Scotland but head coach Steve Clarke will not overburden the full-back who returns to his squad after almost two years out.

The 23-year-old has been chosen for an away double-header against Denmark and Belarus next month as World Cup qualifying begins.

Hickey, capped 14 times, has appeared from the bench in Brentford's opening two Premier League games following major hamstring problems.

"He's good to go," Clarke said. "Whether he's good to go 90 minutes over two games is a different conversation. We'll manage him.

"He's been a long time out injured, and it was a difficult recovery process.

"We have to look after him on the way back in, for ourselves and Brentford.

"He's very single-minded, determined. Nothing seems to phase him. Before he picked up the injury he was getting linked with some of the top six clubs in the Premier League, which shows you the qualities he's got.

"If we can get him on the pitch at some stage, it will be really good to have him back."

Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak and Lyndon Dykes are also back after significant injury breaks.

Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark may be favourite to take the gloves, since Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly are second choice for Nottingham Forest and Rangers respectively.

Blackburn Rovers defender Dominic Hyam, capped once as a late substitute in June 2023, is recalled, while Lennon Miller, now at Udinese, retains his place after playing in summer friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The inclusion of the 19-year-old means four of the eight midfielders listed are based in Serie A.

"If he plays like he can, I'm sure he'll be another Scottish success in Italy," said Clarke, who revealed English clubs had approached him for information on the ex-Motherwell teenager.

Kieron Bowie has started the season well for Hibernian and the 22-year-old striker gets another opportunity after making his debut as a substitute against Liechtenstein.

Scotland go to Copenhagen on 5 September and meet Belarus in Hungary three days later.

Greece are the other nation in Group C.

Clarke said he was "excited for the challenge" of a six-game campaign over three months.

"There's never room for error in qualifying campaigns," he added. "In this one, you're probably looking at the two Belarus games for maximum points and then ourselves, Greece and Denmark need to tough it out."

Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, with Scotland bidding to qualify for the first time since 1998.

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland is not included as Greg Taylor, Tommy Conway, Josh Doig, James Wilson, Nathan Patterson and Ryan Porteous also miss out.

Goalkeepers: Clark (Heart of Midlothian), Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Hanley (Hibernian), Hendry (Al-Etiffaq), Hickey (Brentford), Hyam (Blackburn Rovers), Johnston (Sturm Graz), McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Ralston (Celtic), Robertson (Liverpool), Souttar (Rangers), Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Christie (Bournemouth), Ferguson (Bologna), Gannon Doak (Bournemouth), Gilmour (Napoli), McGinn (Aston Villa), McLean (Norwich City), McTominay (Napoli), Miller (Udinese)

Forwards: Adams (Torino), Bowie (Hibernian), Dykes (Birmingham City), Hirst (Ipswich Town)