Ryan Porteous has earned a recall to the Scotland squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, ending an 18-month absence from the national team setup. The 27-year-old defender steps in after Stephen Welsh withdrew from the squad due to an injury sustained on club duty with Swansea City.
Porteous last featured for Scotland in the Nations League play-off against Greece in March, following his red card in the heavy Euro 2024 defeat by Germany. Since then, he has rebuilt his club career in Major League Soccer, starting 25 of 33 league fixtures for Los Angeles FC this season. His consistent form in the United States has provided the platform for this international return.
Stephen Welsh was forced to pull out after picking up a knock while playing for Swansea City. The injury is not considered serious but will keep him out of the upcoming double-header against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Welsh, who previously played for Celtic and Motherwell, will now focus on his recovery with his club.
The recall comes as Scotland prepare for a key Nations League double-header, seeking to improve on a recent run of mixed results. Their last outing was a 2-1 home defeat to Slovenia on 6 October, with Ryan Christie scoring the consolation goal in the 87th minute. That result made it one win, one draw and two losses from their last four matches, a sequence that includes a 2-0 away victory over North Macedonia just three days prior. The team currently sits third in the <a href="/standings">Nations League group standings</a> with four points from four games.
Porteous has described regaining his Scotland place as a primary goal and driving motivation since his move abroad. His return offers manager Sebastien Pocognoli a fresh defensive option with experience of the international stage. Scotland's next test is a home <a href="/fixtures">match against North Macedonia on 13 November</a>, a fixture they won convincingly in the reverse encounter last month. They will then travel to face Switzerland three days later to conclude their October international window.
Read the full report at The Herald
