Uncapped teenagers Lennon Miller & James Wilson named in Scotland squad for Greece tie

Bologna midfielder Ferguson, 25, missed Euro 2024 with a long-term knee injury but has returned to action in Serie A. Forward Nisbet, 28, is rewarded for his recent form on loan at Aberdeen from Millwall, netting 10 goals this season including five in his past six appearances.

Defender Tierney, 27, last played for Scotland during the Euros, where he picked up a hamstring injury, but recently returned to the Arsenal side. He will move back to first club Celtic this summer.

“Always good to get your good players,” Clarke said of Ferguson and Tierney. “Unlucky with injury. Fingers crossed they can come back and have an injury-free year and help us stay in [the highest tier of] the Nations League and qualify for the World Cup.

“Kevin’s scored a couple of goals recently. Sometimes when a striker starts scoring goals, it becomes a habit so hopefully with Kevin that’s the case.

“We want to stay at the top level, we want to be competitive against the top teams and to do that, we’re going to have beat a good Greece side over two games.

“Good team, defend well, don’t give many goals away, score goals. Really good on the counter attack, their away performances particularly catch the eye.

“Any team that goes to Wembley and beats England is always going to catch your eye.”

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, 29, also featured in the finals in Germany but is not included in the latest squad.

Ipswich Town forward George Hirst, 26, had been linked with a Scotland call-up and Clarke commented: “It’s possible, there was a delay in the paperwork.

“George is somebody that we’ve had in mind for a few months. I’ve watched him recently. He’s a player that would help to give us more depth to that position, if we can do it.”