Steve Clarke defended keeping emerging talent Lennon Miller out of the Scotland squad.

Steve Clarke has defended leaving Lennon Miller out of Scotland's newest squad, claiming the 18-year-old "needs time and space to grow" before receiving his first senior call-up.

Miller has been a breakout sensation in Scotland this season, and the teenager captained Motherwell to a 2-1 League Cup semi-final loss to Rangers on Sunday.

The midfielder has already played for Scotland's Under-21s, but with Scot Gemmill's team out of action this month, Miller will instead represent the Under-19s in the latest round of European qualifiers.

Scotland faces Croatia and Poland in their last Nations League double-header, and Clarke has been bolstered by the recovery of several injured players, notably John McGinn.

Clarke's side gained their first Nations League point with a 0-0 draw at home to Portugal last month, but relegation is looming unless Scotland defeats Croatia at home or Poland in Warsaw.

Youngsters Ben Doak and Connor Barron remain in Clarke's squad, as the Scotland head coach explains why he left out the in-form Miller, who was also voted Scottish Premiership player of the month in September.

"He's another young one that everybody wants to hype and push," Clarke told me. "It's critical to allow young players develop. Let's give Lennon some time and space to grow up at Motherwell."

Scotland's team includes centre-backs Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna, full-back Greg Taylor, forwards Tommy Conway and Lawrence Shankland, as well as Nicky Devlin, who earned his first cap.

Clarke said it was wonderful to have a more "regular" squad after last month's injury crisis, but goalkeeper Angus Gunn remains out with a rib injury, as do long-term absentees Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson, and Aaron Hickey.

Lewis Ferguson made his first appearance for Bologna since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury over the weekend, but Clarke said it was too soon for the midfielder to return to the team.

"It's always good to get the players back, a little bit more regular around the squad," Clarke told ESPN. "Listen, the boys who came in last month did an excellent job for us as well. So I'm glad to have some of the boys back."

Scotland squad will face Croatia and Portugal

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock), and Cieran Slicker (Ipswich Town).

Defenders: Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (UD Las Palmas), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic).

Connor Barron (Rangers), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Middlesbrough), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls).

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