Luton’s on-loan Manchester City winger Emilio Lawrence has been selected as part of the Scotland U21s squad by new head coach Tony Docherty for their upcoming UEFA Euro U21s Championships qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.
The 20-year-old, who represented England at U15s and U16s level before switching his allegiances to Scotland, featuring for the U16s and U17s, before making his U21s debut in March 2025. Lawrence has won six caps in total, scoring four times, with all those goals coming in the 12-0 thrashing of Gibraltar U21s in October 2025, also adding two assists during that time too.
The winger featured twice when moving to Kenilworth Road for his first loan spell in January, playing against Czechia U21s and Portugal U21s earlier this year, although has struggled during his second stint in Bedfordshire, making four appearances, only to be left out of the last three match-day squads.
Hatters attacker Emilio Lawrence - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Imagesplaceholder image
Hatters attacker Emilio Lawrence - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
Despite that, he is back in for the games, which will see Scotland look to end Group B on a high, with a slim chance of qualification still alive, as they are currently in third, three points behind Czechia having played a game more, and seedings for further competitions to battle it out for. Lawrence has been joined by several players from the U19s, as Daniel Armer of Manchester United, Sam Chambers of Leeds United (on loan to Northampton Town) and Bobby Wales of Swansea City (on loan to Dundee) will be looking to make an impact.
Tyler Fletcher also returns to the squad, while Kyle Glasgow makes the step up to 21s level for the first time, as Scotland host Azerbaijan at BBSP Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on Wednesday, 30 September (7.30pm kick-off). They then head to Bulgaria on Tuesday, October 6, for their match at the Georgi Benkovski Stadium, Pazardijk (5.30pm kick-off).
Speaking about the games, and helping new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, Docherty said: “There is a chance, a slim chance of qualification. You're all out to try win the two matches. It also impinges on pot three and pot four for your next campaign that you would be starting if you weren't successful in qualifying.
"We can enhance Sebastien's squad with the development of young players, identifying the best ones, improving them and developing them but as we do that, we need to create, in my opinion, that winning team mentality. We'll be all out to play an attacking style of football, which is attractive to watch and pleasing on the eye."
Full squad – Goalkeepers: Ruairidh Adams (Dundee United – on loan to Airdrieonians), Rory Mahady (Leeds United). Liam McFarlane (Heart of Midlothian – on loan to Partick Thistle). Defenders: Connor Allan (Falkirk), Dylan Lobban (Aberdeen – on loan to Dunfermline Athletic), Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (Wigan Athletic), Sam Cleall-Harding (Dundee United – on loan to Dunfermline Athletic), Mitchel Frame (Aberdeen), Ben McPherson (Partick Thistle), Henry Fieldson (St Mirren), Daniel Armer (Manchester United), Josh Feeney (Aston Villa – On loan to Peterborough United), Louis Jackson (St Mirren), Taylor Steven (St Johnstone).
Midfielders: Ryan Carr (St Mirren), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers), Daniel Kelly (Millwall), Aidan Borland (Aston Villa – on loan to Accrington Stanley), Andrew Tod (Dunfermline Athletic). Forwards: Dire Mebude (Çaykur Rizespor), Emilio Lawrence (Manchester City - on loan to Luton Town), Rory Wilson (Aston Villa), Barney Stewart (West Bromwich Albion), Bobby Wales (Swansea City – on loan to Dundee), Sam Chambers – (Leeds United – on loan to Northampton Town), Kyle Glasgow (Rangers – on loan to Alloa Athletic).