Could Tony Watt be in line for a Scotland call up?

The November International break is just around the corner and it is an enormous one for Scotland. Two games against Moldova and Denmark are vital for the nation’s World Cup hopes. Just three points are needed to secure a play off though and the Moldova match in particular will be the main target for a victory. The game will be in Moldova itself and it is the first of the International break, reducing the need for a result against Denmark, who have a perfect record in the group so far, on the final match day.

One concern for the Moldova game however is the lack of firepower that may be available to manager Steve Clarke. Despite Che Adams’ return from injury, Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie will be missing through suspension. The former’s presence will surely be missed significantly with the fact Dykes has four goals in his last four Scotland appearances. Kevin Nisbet would be an obvious choice to come in and play alongside Adams although the Hibs man has not been at his best at club level so far this campaign; Ryan Fraser could even play the role at a stretch although I believe one player who could more than suffice is Tony Watt.  

Prior to joining Motherwell in February of 2020, Tony Watt had somewhat of a journeyman status. The striker turned out for a plethora of sides including Celtic, Lierse SK, Standard Liege, Charlton Athletic, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, Hearts, OH Leuven, St. Johnstone, CSKA Sofia and as mentioned, Motherwell. The now twenty seven year old seems to have found a home in Lanarkshire though. Watt has made a total of sixty three appearances for the Steelmen, more than he’s made for any other club. Watt seems to have really connected with the club and has even wore the captains armband on a few occasions. The striker has finally settled in Motherwell, something that can only be beneficial as he enters his peak years.

In the current campaign, it is fair to say Tony Watt has been on top form. The striker is joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership with seven goals in twelve appearances. His strikes have been a combination of headers, ruthless finishes and penalties. Watt is clinical in front of goal and has scored every one hundred and forty two minutes in the Scottish Premiership this season. Transparently, these facts and figures have righteously put Watt in the fray for a Scotland call up although let’s examine some players who could challenge the Motherwell man for a spot in the squad. 

The first will be a familiar name to Scottish football and in particular Dundee United supporters. Johnny Russel is Sporting Kansas City’s captain and talisman. The attacker has scored fourteen goals and set up a further six in twenty nine matches in the MLS this season. Although thirty one, Russel is enjoying one of the greatest seasons of his career and it wouldn’t be astounding to see the fourteen time capped Scot be in an International squad for the first time since November 2019. 

We’ve already spoke about Kevin Nisbet; the Hibs striker though, hasn’t found the back of the net since the third of October. I don’t believe the twenty four year year old is a sufficient option to come in to the starting lineup. 

Another player who may be in contention for a call up is Ryan Hardie. The former Rangers striker is now twenty four years of age and finding his feet in English League One with Plymouth Argyle. Specifically this season, Hardie has chipped in with both goals and assists. The 6”2 striker has started fifteen times for Plymouth in the league this season, scoring eight times and assisting four. Hardie last played for Scotland at under twenty level although that was in 2018. 

Another Scottish striker revelling in League One is Ross Stewart. The twenty five year old is another physical forward and has ten goals in fourteen league appearances for Sunderland this campaign. Stewart signed for the black cats from Ross County in January of 2021 and should he receive a Scotland call up in November, it would be the first one he’d have been awarded at any level. 

Evidently, there are a number of strikers available to Steve Clarke in November however let’s get back to speaking of the man whose name takes the title of this article. 

All of the above are apparent reasons why Tony Watt could earn his first Scotland call up since 2016. His manager, Graham Alexander, had this to say on the matter: “He's doing everything he can to be considered for the Scotland squad. If he's in there, (it’s) great for us as a club. If not, we'll still love him all the same.” If Watt does receive the call from Steve Clarke, he would be the third different Motherwell player who has done so this season; a massive achievement for the Lanarkshire club. 

We’ll find out on Tuesday afternoon who exactly will be in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Internationals. There is bound to be a few names in the squad that have yet to dawn a Scotland shirt in competitive action and Tony Watt may be one of them.  

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