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David Bates has been recalled to the Scotland squad almost eight years after his last appearance, following a strong opening spell in Turkey.
The 30-year-old centre-back joins Sebastien Pocognoli’s squad after Luis Binks withdrew ahead of Nations League matches against North Macedonia on Friday and Switzerland on Monday.
Bates has started all 11 games for Amedspor this term as they have risen to third in the Turkish Super Lig.
The defender won his four caps under Alex McLeish while at Hamburg in 2018/19. His last outing was a 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over San Marino in March 2019, McLeish’s final fixture in charge.
Former Rangers player Bates joined Amedspor this summer after four years in Belgium with Mechelen and Standard Liege following his 2022 Aberdeen departure.
Brondby captain Binks is the second centre-back to exit Pocognoli’s squad, after Swansea’s Stephen Welsh suffered an injury and was replaced by Los Angeles FC’s Ryan Porteous last weekend.
The head coach sees the double-header as vital to preparing for Euro 2028 qualification, which may start in March if Scotland avoid Nations League play-offs.
“I think that these two games are, if we start the qualification in March, the last package of games that we have to use to be ready for the March camp,” Pocognoli said.
“If it’s not the case (that the Euro campaign starts in March), we can play friendly games which can be useful for June, so we have more time to prepare. And maybe, if we are really strong in the next two games, maybe we have play-off games. That’s the ambition.
“These can be useful also for the process of the qualification. But if the qualification starts (in March), we need to be ready. That’s why this camp for me is crucial in terms of demanding to the players, try to impress me and do everything to improve.
“I believe if we want to go to the Euros and be successful, we need to build this qualification feeling by winning games and to build the best winning culture possible.”
