Wilson and Curtis leave Scotland seniors for Under-21 test

James Wilson and Findlay Curtis have left Scotland's senior squad to play for the Under-21s against Azerbaijan on Wednesday, according to BBC. The Hearts striker and Rangers winger will swap one Scotland shirt for another. It is about minutes on the pitch.

Both players were part of head coach Sebastien Pocognoli's 27-player squad training in Spain. A 27-man camp always means tough choices. Someone has to wait.

The immediate cost is clear. Wilson and Curtis will miss the Nations League matches away to Slovenia and at home to Switzerland. The Nations League is UEFA's contest for national teams, played in groups with promotion and relegation. Scotland want results there, and they also want their young attackers sharp.

The story may not end there. Both players could return to the senior squad for the 3 October trip to North Macedonia and the home game against Slovenia three days later. That keeps the door open. Play well on Wednesday, and the case makes itself.

Wilson's name will be familiar to most fans. He has scored five goals for Hearts this season, leading the line through the middle. He became Scotland's youngest men's international at 18 years and 17 days. He won the first of his two caps — senior team appearances — as a substitute against Greece in March 2025.

Curtis is a little further along. He has five senior appearances for Scotland. He became the nation's youngest World Cup player after substitute outings against Haiti and Brazil in the USA. A winger plays wide and takes defenders on, and he does it without fear.

Both know this level. They earned first Under-21 call-ups ahead of the Euro 2027 qualifying campaign. They were also named in the Under-21 squad for Gibraltar and Azerbaijan last autumn, according to Scottish FA.

For fans, this means something simple. Wednesday is a chance to watch the next wave start a game together. If they shine, Hampden may not have to wait long to see them again.