Scotland add striker Hirst for Nations League ties

George Hirst scores for Ipswich Town against Nottingham Forest — George Hirst (far right) scored Ipswich Town's late consolation against Nottingham Forest on Saturday [Getty Images]

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.

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."

A graphic of the Scotland squad with a picture of George Hirst — [PA Media]

Have your say?

What do you make of the decision to call up Hirst? Should he be involved in the games against Greece?

Let us know here

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