For many footballers being capped at international level is one of the greatest honours that they can receive, and it is often seen as a culmination of all the hard work that a player has put in throughout their career in the professional game.
With that in mind, and just for a bit of fun, Edinburgh Evening News has taken a look back through Scotland and English football’s photo archives to look at 21 members of Steve Clarke’s Nations League squad and where their careers started out. It’s fair to say that they don’t disappoint!
Here are 21 photos of Scotland stars from their early careers in football and how they made it onto the international stage.
9. John Souttar
Souttar came through the academy at Dundee United in 2013. He enjoyed a successful six-year stint at Hearts between 2016 and 2022 before joining Rangers. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
10. Greg Taylor
Celtic defender Greg Taylor was briefly on the books at Rangers until 2014 but it was at Kilmarnock where he first made a name for himself before moving to Parkhead in 2019. | SNS Group
11. Ryan Christie
Christie made a name for himself at Inverness before making the move to Celtic in 2015. Enjoyed six successful years at Parkhead before joining Bournemouth, where he is now regarded as a fan-favourite. | SNS Group
12. James Forrest
A one club man, James Forrest has been on the books at Celtic since 2002. Here he is pictured starring for the youth team in 2009, just months before his professional debut. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602