Ryan Fraser touted for Scotland Euro 2024 return as 3 uncapped stars also considered

Kenny Miller reckons Ryan Fraser could be worthy of a Scotland recall after UEFA agreed to increase the Euro 2024 squad size to 26.

Steve Clarke has a selection headache as he prepares to announce the players who will be joining him on the plane to Germany for this summer's eagerly-anticipated tournament. The national boss has forged a reputation of being loyal to the group of players he's relied on over the last couple of years and has been reluctant to throw spanners in the works by handing out new caps.

But with Lewis Ferguson out of the Euros and Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey all major doubts, Clarke may be forced to draft in some wild cards to boost his numbers. Former striker Miller reckons Clarke should bolster his attacking options and suggested in-form Southampton star Fraser may come back into his thinking.

Fraser, 30, has kickstarted his career at St Mary's after a bitter fall-out with Eddie Howe, leading to the winger being frozen out for most of last season. He's had a stellar campaign in the Championship under Russell Martin, contributing eight goals and three assists to help the Saints' promotion push.

However, he hasn't featured for Scotland since 2022 and does have detractors within the Tartan Army after controversially pulling out of the squad for crucial matches against Moldova and Denmark in 2021. Fraser cited a calf problem at the time but was later pictured training with the Magpies, costing him a place in the international set-up for ten months.

Clarke did hand him a recall two years ago and Miller believes the former Bournemouth attacker's form will have caught Clarke's attention as Scotland now have the luxury of adding an additional three players to their Euros pool.

Miller told Clyde Superscoreboard: "I'm trying to rack my brain on who, potentially, could make a late run. Who could be a surprise? Maybe an uncapped player or someone who has had a standout season and is looking to maybe force his way back into it. I would like to think you'd be looking at more top-end-of-the-pitch players, difference makers.

"Guys if you need a goal or need to change a game in a positive way. Maybe a Ryan Fraser comes back into it? He's had a good season, playing at a good level and he's experienced at international football. Guys like that might now come into the reckoning."

Ben Doak showed early promise with Liverpool in the first half of the campaign before the teen sensation suffered a meniscus tear in December. The ex-Celtic starlet has returned to full training with the Reds but Miller fears the 18-year-old's lack of action in recent months could rule him out.

Miller said: "It's such a shame that he's been injured. Steve Clarke could have been thinking, 'Oh wait a minute, we've got an extra three players now? Absolutely, let's bring this lad in who is a winger and pace to burn.' It might have been a no-brainer, but he's been injured."

Another left-field option floated was Plymouth hitman Ryan Hardie, who has 12 goals in the Championship this season. Miller said: "I know Ryan well, he was a young lad at Rangers. He's lightning quick and isn't too interested in getting involved in link up, which is something we always looked to work on with him.

"But he's got pace to burn and if you're looking for someone to stretch the game and create space for the likes of McGinn, Armstrong and Christie, then he's someone that can do that. He's another player that's not been capped. Steve Clarke has overlooked him, he's not put him. He does bring something different."

Tommy Conway has also lit up the Championship with Bristol City but Miller doubts a call-up is on the way this summer, adding: "He's in the system and they'll know exactly what he's capable of. If he's got something in his game that he can add value to that first-team squad - and can he make the huge step up to go from the 21s into the first-team squad."