Hirst in Scotland Squad
Monday, 16th Mar 2026 13:45

Blues striker George Hirst has been named in the Scotland squad for two friendlies at the end of the month.

The Scots, who have already qualified for the World Cup, host Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday 28th March, then take on Côte d’Ivoire at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday 31st March.

Hirst, 27, has previously won six full caps, scoring one international goal.

Scotland: Scott Bain Falkirk, Angus Gunn Nottingham Forest,
Liam Kelly Rangers, Grant Hanley Hibernian, Jack Hendry Al-Etiffaq, Dominic Hyam Wrexham, Ross McCrorie Bristol City, Scott McKenna Dinamo Zagreb, Nathan Patterson Everton, Anthony Ralston Celtic,
Andy Robertson Liverpool, John Souttar Rangers, Kieran Tierney Celtic, Ryan Christie AFC Bournemouth, Lewis Ferguson Bologna,
Billy Gilmour Napoli, Andrew Irving Sparta Prague, John McGinn Aston Villa, Kenny McLean Norwich City, Scott McTominay Napoli,
Lennon Miller Udinese, Ché Adams Torino, Tommy Conway Middlesbrough, Findlay Curtis Kilmarnock (on loan from Rangers),
Lyndon Dykes Charlton Athletic, George Hirst Ipswich Town.

Photo: Ger Harley/Sportpix/Sipa USA

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Gforce added 15:05 - Mar 16 There must be a dearth of strikers in Scotland, that's all I can say.
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RobITFC added 15:28 - Mar 16 Congratulations George, a great experience
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hoppy added 15:31 - Mar 16 Gforce - if that's all you can say, then maybe you'd be best not saying anything. Just a thought.
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mow_the_lawn added 17:22 - Mar 16 I think this has come at a good time for him. He knows how to play our system already so wonky miss much not training with us, he just looks shot of confidence and hopefully training with a different set of coaches and different players may mean he comes back invigorated and can learn off a different set of strikers and attacking coaches.
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MickMillsTash added 23:01 - Mar 16 So had the Southampton game been on - it would have been Saturday, Tuesday, then a vital game on Good Friday for Hurst - the calendar is just stupid! Playing for Scotland is hardly going invigorate anyone - Clarke will be drilling them in preparation to kick off their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 loss to Haiti -
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Gforce added 23:46 - Mar 16 Hoppy.......Just stating a fact,that there are no decent strikers in. Scotland.
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Edmundo added 11:57 - Mar 17 Correct, theyre all abroad or in England. But all the Hearts fans care about hearing is Claudio Braga...
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TimmyH added 15:10 - Mar 17 He's scored a few recently but largely scruffy one's (as per usual) - one of his chest another the goalie should have saved but if Steve Clarke thinks he's up to it who am I to argue. :)
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Gforce added 15:33 - Mar 17 Edmundo.........Name me,one decent Scottish striker anywhere in the world ?
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armchaircritic59 added 18:49 - Mar 17 Gforce, just as a matter of interest, what's your idea of the word " decent " in this case?
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armchaircritic59 added 19:42 - Mar 17

Gforce, just one other thing, I've been one of those critical of not bringing in a proven goal scorer over the last 3 windows but in the interest of fairness I did some fact checking, and you could say I got a surprise!

George Hirst has played 1746 minutes this season in the Championship so far. He's scored 9 goals and got 1 assist. This equates to a goal every 194 minutes. Which in turn equates to a goal about every other match. If replicated over an entire Championship season that would equate to about 23 goals, and chuck in 2 assists as well! My benchmark for what I call a proper striker is a goal every 2.5 games or better. GH is certainly inside that.

I don't know what your idea of a " decent striker " is, so I'll leave those facts for you to digest.

Gforce added 20:51 - Mar 17

@Armchaircritic.......My idea of a decent striker,with playing at the world cup in mind,would be a number 9 who has solid premier league experience.
Scotland's current strikers are all mediocre championship players,along with some bloke on loan at Kilmarnock.
I agree with most of your posts,but as for Hirst I disagree.
Most of his goals this season have been scuffy,fortunate goalkeeping errors or penalties. He has also missed 18 big clear cut chances this season alone.
Hirst has never been prolific & never will be.

armchaircritic59 added 00:13 - Mar 18

Gforce, doesn't matter if they all go in off his backside, a goals a goal. Actually you're right about the big chances missed. Curiously most of the players at the top of the big chances missed list in the championship are the ones at or near the top of the goalscoring charts! I just put the facts on George Hirst up there, it's up to others to make what they want of them. I doubt GH will ever be prolific too, he was when playing for the various England youth sides, but not since.

No doubt Scotland are short of quality strikers. Adams plays in Serie A of course for Torino, but his goalscoring record so far this season isn't great. Still, not our problem. Unless you're a Scot of course!

StowTractor added 14:16 - Mar 18 Looks like his 3 goals in the last 6 matches have come at just the right time for him as well as Town. Have to say I wasnt expecting him to get a call up.
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