Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray omitted from Scotland squad

The Blues stopper has paid the price for playing back-up to Alex Bass by being omitted from manager Steve Clarke’s 24-man set-up for their Nations League double-header against Israel and Czech Republic.

Regular squad members David Marshall and Jon McLaughlin have kept their spots among the three goalkeepers named.

However, Clarke has handed a maiden call-up to Livingston’s on-loan Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie, who is the brother of former Fratton Park loanee Ross.

The 21-year-old replaces MacGillivray in the Scotland ranks, with the now Pompey No2 without a league outing for the Blues since the 3-1 defeat at MK Dons on December 29.

MacGillivray, who is yet to play for Scotland, has made 83 appearances for Kenny Jackett’s side since his free transfer from Shrewsbury in the summer of 2018.

It appears he’ll be stuck on that tally for the time being at least, with Crystal Palace target Bass expected to retain the No1 jersey for the 2020-21 season.

Indeed, earlier this month the Pompey boss said the one-time Rangers target would have to ‘push hard’ to win back his Fratton Park starting place.

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

Pompey kick-start their season with a trip to Stevenage on Saturday in the Carabao Cup.