The resurgence of former Dundee midfielder Kevin McDonald has been rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland squad for the glamour clash with World champions Germany next month.
McDonald was Wolves’ player of the year last season, helping them back to the Championship, and has started this campaign where he left off.
When the 25-year-old left Dens Park for Burnley in a £500,000 deal in 2008 most people in the Scottish game expected him to be capped long before now.
However, after making his mark with a man-of-the-match performance at Turfmoor against Arsenal, he drifted out of the first team picture there, going on loan to Scunthorpe United and Notts County.
It wasn’t until he moved to Sheffield United that the powerful box-to-box central midfielder’s career got back on track, and Wolves paid a reported £750,000 for the Carnoustie man last summer.
The only other uncapped player named by Gordon Strachan is Celtic’s on-form Callum McGregor.
The 21-year-old has been rewarded for an impressive start to the season which has seen him strike four times for the Scottish champions.
Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong and former St Johnstone striker Stevie May both have to be content with a place in the under-21 squad for their double header against Slovakia and Scotland.
They are joined by Ryan Gauld, while another ex-Dundee United man, Andy Robertson, is in the full squad.
McDonald and McGregor come in on the back of injuries to Robert Snodgrass and Scott Brown and fitness doubts over West Brom’s James Morrison.
Strachan said: “There was room in that area to bring people in and it’s nice to bring a youngster in.
“I like to have people in who can eliminate people and go by them (McGregor), and he has shown that.
“Not just this season, he has shown that last season at under-21 level and Notts County, which was great because he has done something about his career.
“He has got off his backside at Notts County. It’s easy just to sit here. So I like that attitude – get me out to Notts County and I’ll play and deal with reality football.
“He has come back and now he is playing with Celtic and scoring goals, and going by people.”
Chris Burke, Shaun Maloney and Craig Bryson are among the other midfielders in Strachan’s squad.
The Scotland manager has named just three strikers – Steven Fletcher, Steven Naismith and Derby’s Chris Martin – meaning there is no place for the likes of Jordan Rhodes, Ross McCormack or Leigh Griffiths.
And Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has earned a call-up after making his comeback from a career-threatening knee injury in recent weeks.
He replaces Matt Gilks as back-up to Allan McGregor and David Marshall, who are vying for the number-one spot.
Strachan said: “Matt’s been terrific. I spoke to him last night and he understands what I’m doing here, because I have never really dealt with Craig.
“I have met him briefly a couple of years ago so it will be nice to get to know him. That’s really why I’m doing it because McGregor and Marshall have been terrific.
“But Craig is back, let’s get him in the fold and see how he feels, see if he likes working with us. So that’s another boost to the squad. That’s a strong area we have got there.”Full squadGoalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Alan McGregor (Hull City)
Defenders : Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Craig Forsyth (Derby County), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)
Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Callum McGregor (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)
Forwards : Steven Fletcher (Sunderland), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Everton)