Emilio Lawrence has earned a call-up to the Scotland Under-21s squad while on loan at Luton Town from Manchester City. The 20-year-old winger is part of new head coach Tony Docherty's selection for two vital UEFA Euro qualifying matches at the end of this month.
Scotland face Azerbaijan on September 30 before hosting Bulgaria on October 6. The young Scots are third in Group B, three points behind Czechia, meaning qualification for the finals is still a possibility. "There is a chance, a slim chance of qualification," Docherty said. "You're all out to try win the two matches."
Lawrence has already made a strong impression at international youth level. He has won six caps for the Scotland U21s, contributing four goals and two assists in a single match, a 12-0 victory over Gibraltar U21s in October 2025. His international path saw him switch allegiance after previously representing England at Under-15 and Under-16 levels.
His club season with Luton has been one of integration. Lawrence initially joined on loan in January and made two appearances before returning for a second spell this season. He has featured four times so far, though he was omitted from the last three match-day squads as Luton handle a challenging start to their League One campaign.
The Hatters currently sit 12th in the table with eight points from six games, having scored 12 goals but conceded 13. Their recent form shows one win, one draw and three defeats from the last five outings, a run that includes a 2-1 loss at Stevenage last time out. They face a tough test next, hosting third-placed Bradford City this Saturday.
For Lawrence, the call-up is a positive step in his development during a season where consistent club minutes are the next target. The Scotland squad also includes familiar names like Manchester United's Daniel Armer and Tyler Fletcher, who returns to the group. Kyle Glasgow earns his first promotion to the Under-21s.
Docherty emphasised his dual aims for the squad, blending development with a competitive edge. "We can enhance the squad with the development of young players, identifying the best ones, improving them," he stated. "But as we do that, we need to create, in my opinion, that winning team mentality."
Lawrence will link up with the Scotland squad after Luton's weekend clash with Bradford. His international duty means he will miss any potential midweek training as the Hatters prepare for their next league assignment. Fans can track all the squad's movements and stats on our dedicated squad section.
Read the full report at Luton Today
