ECK DRAFTS IN KEY COVER
FROM BACK PAGE in the plans by current Ibrox ace Ryan Jack, Manchester United youngster Scott McTominay and Celtic’s back-up goalkeeper Scott Bain.
Alex McLeish has drafted the quartet into his squad for the deciding Nations League double header against Albania and Israel.
Bates’s nomination was the biggest surprise as the manager moved to cover the key defensive withdrawals of Blackburn’s Charlie Mulgrew and Kilmarnock full-back Stephen O’Donnell, who both missed their weekend club matches.
The 22-year-old has impressed for Hamburg since moving to the Bundesliga Two outfit at the end of last season and now has the opportunity to add to his two caps for the Under-21 side.
Jack, whose omission from the original squad surprised club boss Steven Gerrard, has now also been brought into the set-up.
And Old Trafford kid McTominay, who didn’t play against Israel and Portugal last month due to injury, is back after Fulham’s Kevin McDonald pulled out of the squad with a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, Bain has been called up to cover for his clubmate Craig Gordon.
The Parkhead No.1 was missing from yesterday’s goalless draw at Livingston due to knee and hip problems.
And now – having deputised at the Tony Macaroni Stadium – the Hoops back-up keeper has won the nod to join Allan McGregor and Jamie MacDonald in the Scotland party.