The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

First posted on Facebook , August 9th, 2016

Of course I had barely posted the first part and our resident Championship watcher Ally Morrison pumped in with a few names I had missed. As always, thanks Ally.

So to add to the list, there was Josh McEachran who is eligible but has not expressed an interest in doing so. Joe Bryan of Bristol City, is also eligible as is Martin Cranie at Huddersfield. Cameron Stewart of Ipswich, Jed Steer of Aston Villa are too. There is also Alex Mowatt of Leeds but like some of the others it is a question of Can play for Scotland rather than will play for Scotland as first choice nation.
Newcastle have invested in two Scots this year with the signings of Grant Hanley and Matt Ritchie and big things are expected of them both.
Norwich City were relegated from the Premiership last season and have retained the services of the four Scots in their line-up; Russell Martin. Steven Whittaker, Graham Dorrans and Steven Naismith. Naismith will perhaps feel, he owes Norwich a good season after his failure to make a real impact last year following his transfer from Everton.
Notts Forest have Danny Fox among their number but I don’t see him adding to his four Scotland caps and Oliver Burke who made a big impression coming on against Denmark at Hampden in March. On the first day of the season 18 year old Alex Iacovitti made his full debut in defence for Forest; Alex is a Scotland under 19 International. Scotland Youth International Jordan Gabriel has also been given a first team squad number this year. Also eligible is Jamie Paterson, well with a name like Jamie Charles Stuart Paterson, how could he not be?

Preston have the evergreen, Paul Gallagher (Happy Birthday Paul, who will be 32 on August 9th) who seems to have been playing in the Championship forever among their number. Here’s hoping Stevie May recovers from his injury ravaged time last season to make an impact this year and begin to reach his potential.

Having sold Matt Phillips to West Brom, QPR only have former Internationalist James Mackie at Loftus Road in their ranks.
Reading are not known for their Scottish players with only Graeme Murty ever having been capped with them, however they have four Young Scots on their books. Defender Zak Jules who has been given a squad number this year; Dominic Hyam, Thomas McIntyre and Harry Cardwell are the others. Here’s hoping they begin to knock on the first team door.

Rotherham; no Rotherham player has ever been capped by Scotland. Kirk Broadfoot has been playing at Millmoor in the last few seasons but whether Strachan would pick him again is probably unlikely. Scott Allan has recently joined on loan from Celtic; so perhaps a good season from him will see him progress to a Scotland cap.
Sheffield Wednesday of course added Steven Fletcher to the ranks of their Scottish players over the summer. It will be interesting if he develops a good working relationship with Barry Bannan. Also at Hillsborough is Liam Palmer and Ross Wallace. Wallace in particular has bene unlucky to be overlooked by Scotland Managers in the last few years. Although, capped by at England at Youth Level Lewis McGugan is also available for Scotland.
Wigan Athletic are managed by Gary Caldwell but as far as I know only young Jack Hendry who joined from Partick Thistle last year is eligible for Scotland.
Finally to Wolverhampton, where among their Youth ranks are Daniel Armstrong, Ross Finnie and Jordan Allan. Best of luck to those three for this season and to all the players we’ve noted.
I will post a first update today on last weekend’s games as I hope to do throughout the season.

David Stuart