Scotland add striker Hirst for Nations League ties
Nations League play-offs: Greece v Scotland
Venue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Date: Thursday, 20 March Time: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland & iPlayer; listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds; live text coverage & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website & app
George Hirst has been given his first Scotland call-up for the Nations League play-off with Greece after receiving clearing to represent his grandfather's homeland.
The Ipswich Town forward, 26, previously represented England at youth level and Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said "a delay in the paperwork" meant Hirst was not included in the initial squad named on Tuesday.
Hirst has scored four times for Ipswich this season, including their second in Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by Nottingham Forest.
He joins forwards Che Adams, Tommy Conway, Kevin Nisbet and James Wilson in Clarke's squad.
"George is somebody that we've had in mind for a few months," Clarke said on Tuesday. "I've watched him recently. He's a player that would help to give us more depth to that position."
Scotland are bidding to stay in League A, with the first leg away to Greece on Thursday (19:45 GMT) before the return at Hampden next Sunday (17:00).
You can watch both games live on the BBC.
- Scotland's Clarke 75% sure he will leave after 2026 World Cup
- Scots call up 'two for the future' Miller & Wilson
- Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC
Who is George Hirst?
Hirst, an England Under-20 international, qualifies for Scotland through his paternal grandfather, and, according to BBC 5 Live presenter Aaron Paul, "offers something different" to what Scotland already have.
"He's 6ft 3in, powerful, mobile and intelligent," Paul told BBC Scotland. "But he's a thinker, and he's someone who's had to work really hard for his opportunities.
"He's the son of David Hirst, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker, so he's got the pedigree. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Hirst has missed nearly two months of this season with a knee injury, having also missed a chunk of Ipswich's promotion campaign last term.
"They haven't been minor little injuries, they've been big setbacks," Paul added.
"But he's committed, he plays in a high-octane side who like to press hard from the front. He's a big unit and he'll use his size.
"He's not a raw goalscorer, he's not a pure all-rounder, but he's someone who will press well."
Have your say?
What do you make of the decision to call up Hirst? Should he be involved in the games against Greece?
Topics
-
Teenagers Miller & Wilson in Scotland squad for play-offs
Uncapped teenagers Lennon Miller and James Wilson are named in Scotland's squad for this month's Nations League play-off matches with Greece.BBC News - 5d -
Jordan plays down Lions talk as he relishes first Six Nations with Scotland
Tom Jordan says he has paid no attention to people tipping him as a possible bolter for Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad, and says playing Six Nations rugby for Scotland was something ...Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Santi, Jiménez lead Mexico Nations League squad
Mexico national team head coach Javier Aguirre announced the 23-player roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches during the March international window, with Raul Jimenez and Santiago ...ESPN - 5d -
Spain call up Asencio for Nations League quarters
In-form Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio was named Friday in the Spain squad to play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Nations League.Euro 2024 winners Spain, the defending Nations ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
How Scotland could help England to win the Six Nations
France v Scotland - LIVEYahoo Sports - 1d -
France v Scotland, Six Nations 2025: What time is today’s kick-off and what TV channel is it on?
France and Scotland bring the curtain down on their 2025 Six Nations campaigns with a fifth-round clash at Stade de France.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
France wins Six Nations after beating Scotland with record flourish
France saw off a resilient Scotland 35-16 and clinched the Six Nations title with a tournament-try record on Saturday. Coach Fabien GalthiƩ's side needed only a victory at chilly Stade de France ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Courtois returns from Belgium exile for Nations League duty
Rudi Garcia announced Friday his 26-man squad for Belgium's Nations League play-off tie against Ukraine, which included Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the first time since June ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
France overpower Scotland to win Six Nations title
France secured the Six Nations championship with a flourish - and quashed England's hopes - by ultimately overpowering a dogged Scotland in Paris.BBC News - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
WATCH: Oregon State WBB Previews NCAA Tournament vs North Carolina MORE
PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!Hear from Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck and guards Kennedie Shuler and Tiara Bolden following the NCAA Tournament Selection Show that placed ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
NCAA Tournament West Region predictions: Contenders to challenge Florida in March Madness
Florida earned the No. 1 seed in the West Region of the NCAA but there are plenty of contenders that could keep the Gators from the Final Four.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
UConn's 2025 NCAA Tournament selection draws Arkansas State matchup, No. 2 seed
The UConn women's basketball team is the No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament's Spokane Region 4.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Mark Pope comments on potential Arkansas-St John's matchup in men's NCAA Tournament
Mark Pope was asked about a potential Arkansas vs. St. John's second-round NCAA Tournament matchup between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Ball State women's basketball tickets for 2025 NCAA Women's Tournament: Prices, how to buy
Want to buy tickets to Ball State women's basketball's NCAA Tournament opener? Here's how, including prices for Women's March Madness tickets:Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
NCAA Tournament 2025 bracket picks, top upsets, Cinderella teams: Model simulates March Madness 10,000 times
SportsLine's college basketball model has called 24 first-round NCAA Tournament upsets by double-digit seedsCBS Sports - 8m -
WATCH: Oregon State WBB Previews NCAA Tournament vs North Carolina MORE
PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!Hear from Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck and guards Kennedie Shuler and Tiara Bolden following the NCAA Tournament Selection Show that placed ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Women's NCAA Tournament 2025: Printable March Madness bracket as Selection Sunday reveals 68-team field
Get your brackets filled out before the action begins with the First Four on WednesdayCBS Sports - 11m -
NCAA bracket predictions: Model releases surprising March Madness 2025 tournament picks
SportsLine's model nailed 13 of the teams in the Sweet 16 last season and simulated the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket 10,000 timesCBS Sports - 14m -
NCAA Tournament West Region predictions: Contenders to challenge Florida in March Madness
Florida earned the No. 1 seed in the West Region of the NCAA but there are plenty of contenders that could keep the Gators from the Final Four.Yahoo Sports - 15m