News of Robby McCrorie's Scotland call-up could be bad news for Portsmouth stopper Craig MacGillivray

Craig MacGillivray looks set to miss out on a call-up to the Scotland squad for their forthcoming Nations League ties.
Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.
Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.

That’s after it emerged that Livingston’s on-loan Rangers keeper, Robby McCrorie – the brother of former Pompey loanee Ross – will be named in manager Steve Clarke’s latest squad on Tuesday.

MacGillivray has not featured for Pompey in the league since the Blues’ 3-1 defeat at the hands of MK Dons on December 29.

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He was replaced in the Blues’ starting line-up by Alex Bass for the trip to Gilingham on New Year’s Day and has been acting as PO4 back-up keeper ever since.

Bass has impressed for Kenny Jackett’s side since the turn of the year, prompting interest from the likes of Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough and leaving MacGillivray to play just twice since – both in the Leasing.com Trophy.

The former Blues No1 has been a regular in the Scotland squad over the past year but is yet to make his international debut.

He joined first-choice David Marshall and Jon McLaughlin in the Scots set-up – but now looks set to be overlooked due to a lack of game time at Fratton Park.

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McLaughlin has kept four clean sheets for Rangers since moving to Ibrox from Sunderland on a free transfer, while Marshall recently joined Championship Derby following Wigan’s administration and subsequent relegation to League One.

Meanwhile, McCrorie, 22, has kept two clean sheets in 12 games for Livingston during two loans spells this calendar year.

Scotland host Israel on September 4 and visit Czech Republic three days later.

On Monday, Pompey winger Ronan Curtis was left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for their forthcoming internationals against Bulgaria and Finland.

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Earlier this month, Blues boss Jackett told MacGillivray he needs to battle hard to win back his Pompey place.

The 32-year-old has made 83 Pompey appearances since joining from Shrewsbury on a free transfer in the summer of 2018.

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