Coventry pair in line for shock Scots call
COVENTRY defensive duo Dom Hyam and Michael Rose are in the frame for a surprise Scotland call. Head coach Steve Clarke faces a defensive headache for this month’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel after injuries at the weekend to Scott McKenna and John Souttar. And the Scotland boss watched former Under-21 international Hyam and ex-Aberdeen and Ayr United centre-half Rose star as Coventry went to the top of League One with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday. Capped five times at Under-21s level, Fife-born Hyam, 24, was the Sky Blues’ Player of the Year last season and offers a natural option at left centre-half. Tipped as a future senior international by former Ayr boss Ian McCall, 24-year-old Aberdonian Rose has also earned positive reviews for his displays since joining Coventry 18 months ago. With places up for grabs, Clarke is casting his defensive net wide after Hearts centre-half Souttar was ruled out for the rest of the season with a snapped Achilles sustained in the Scottish Cup win against Rangers. Aberdeen stopper McKenna is also a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the weekend win over St Mirren. The national team are just two wins away from their first tournament in 22 years. And boss Clarke is now sizing up his defensive options, with Grant Hanley, Declan Gallagher, Stuart Findlay and Liam Cooper the other possibilities. Meanwhile, UEFA’s Nations League draw will be made today, with Scotland facing the possibility of a group including Northern Ireland and Wales.