Steve Clarke apologises for Scotland snub as Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway loses out to Birmingham City man

Add as preferred source on Google

Tommy Conway has been a star for Middlesbrough so far this season, and many expected him to be called up to the Scotland national team for the first international break of 2025/26.

However, despite his impressive form, he will spend the week with his club on the training pitch as Steve Clarke turned to other options.

The 23-year-old has scored twice in his first games of the season, with his most recent strike coming against Sheffield United in a 1-0 win for Boro on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Lyndon Dykes has seen himself called up for Scotland for their World Cup Qualifiers away to Denmark and Belarus, and Clarke has explained why the Middlesbrough striker has spoken out on the situation.

• READ MORE – Five EFL fixtures to keep you entertained during international break including huge Yorkshire derby

Steve Clarke hands Tommy Conway apology after Scotland decision

With the World Cup coming up at the end of this year, Scotland may fancy their chances of qualifying, with their group relatively weak compared to others.

However, there will be questions as to why Conway has not been called up, and his national team manager has offered an apology to former Bristol City man.

He said: “I look at that squad, it’s got a lot of good experience in it – players that know how to qualify for major tournaments. I opened the squad up a little bit in the summer with some more younger ones just to give them a taste, only Kieron [Bowie] and Lennon [Miller] have stayed.

“I feel a little bit sorry for Tommy Conway that he’s missed out this time. But I’ve got Lyndon Dykes back fit and I just feel that Lyndon’s experience can give us a little bit more up front, certainly for these two away games. But Tommy’s another one who we shouldn’t forget about in the future.

“I’ve tried to keep a consistency of squad always. There’s a lot of people in this current squad that know how to qualify. They’ve shown that. The players know what’s required in these games.”

• READ MORE – All Championship players on international duty in September 2025 including Josh Sargent and Wrexham stars

Middlesbrough will be delighted that Tommy Conway remains on Teesside

After such an impressive start to the campaign for Boro, ensuring that players remain fit is crucial to their long-term success.

Therefore, with Conway not travelling across Europe with his country and potentially playing two extra games, they have the chance to work on his recovery from the first month of the season as well as some tactical work.

The 23-year-old will face competition from new signing David Strelec going forward, and it is vital that he shows Rob Edwards why he is the right man for the job at Middlesbrough.

For the striker himself, now is the chance to prove Steve Clarke and Scotland wrong.