Scotland squad: Grant Hanley out of March friendlies

Norwich City defender Grant Hanley has pulled out of Scotland’s squad for the friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

Hanley returned to Steve Clarke’s squad after playing eight times for the Canaries this year.

The centre-backs still in the squad are Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Liam Cooper, Ryan Porteous and John Souttar.

Kieran Tierney is also often used as the left-sided central defender in Clarke’s preferred 3-5-2 formation and no replacement for Hanley has been called up.

“He’s a steady, experienced player. He’s good in the squad. He’s a player that I call a man. You know what you’re going to get from Grant,” Clarke told the Scottish FA website when he announced his squad.

“He had a long-term injury that he has worked so hard to recover from. He’s playing pretty regularly at his club and it will be nice to see him again.”

Clarke’s side play in Amsterdam on Friday before Northern Ireland come to Hampden Park four days later, with both games kicking off at 19:45 GMT.

Scotland will complete their preparation for Euro 2024 with friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland in early June before opening the tournament against hosts Germany.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Craig Gordon (both Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)