David Bates Returns to Scotland Squad After Nearly Eight-Year Absence
David Bates has been named in the Scotland squad almost eight years since his last appearance, thanks to his impressive form in Turkey. The 30-year-old centre-back joins Sebastien Pocognoli’s team as a replacement for Luis Binks, who has withdrawn ahead of the Nations League matches against North Macedonia on Friday and Switzerland on Monday.
Bates has played a key role for Amedspor, starting all 11 matches this season, contributing to the team’s ascent to third place in the Turkish Super Lig. He earned four caps for Scotland during his time at Hamburg in the 2018/19 season, with his last appearance being a 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying victory over San Marino in March 2019, which marked the end of Alex McLeish’s tenure as head coach.
After departing from Aberdeen in 2022, Bates joined Amedspor following a four-year stint in Belgium with Mechelen and Standard Liege.
Binks is the second centre-back to leave Pocognoli’s squad due to injury, with Swansea’s Stephen Welsh being replaced by Ryan Porteous from Los Angeles FC last weekend.
Pocognoli considers the upcoming matches essential for preparing for Euro 2028 qualification, which may begin in March if Scotland successfully bypasses the Nations League play-offs. He noted, “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.”
He also emphasized the importance of these games for building a winning culture, stating, “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.”
