Scotland’s men take on Ireland in a series of three test matches starting on Friday at Banbridge Hockey Club outside Belfast.

While they will still field a strong side, Scotland’s star Olympians are missing from the men’s line-up. Keeper Alistair McGregor (Loughborough) can’t make the trip due to work commitments while fellow GB team-mate Stephen Dick (Inverleith) is out due to a minor knee injury. 

No replacement has been made for McGregor while Grange’s Craig Harper will cover for Stephen Dick. 

Dick’s brother, goalkeeper Alan Dick, will also be absent, fulfilling club commitments with Surbiton, so Azzurri Kelburne’s Mark Fulton will fill the net.  Also missing is defender Mark Ralph who is committed to Klein Zwitzerland in the Dutch national league.

Despite the lack of a few key players, the Scots still have a sound squad with a bit of Olympic flair. Former Athens Olympian Niall Stott, now with EuroHockey League champions Uhlenhorster from Germany, along with Wildcats` playmaker Graham Moodie, are included.
 
Measuring up the opposition, Scotland coach Mathias Ahrens said: “Ireland gained from playing in the Olympic qualifying tournament this year in New Zealand; facing strong opposition improved their game.”
 
Scotland’s manager Alan Bryce said: "It`s too obvious to say we hope to overcome a skilful and robust Irish team over the three games, but it is hoped that the determination and experience of our players in particular will make us favourites."

Men's squad:
Barr, Robert
Byers, Gavin
Christie, Jonathon
Harper, Craig
Grassick, Chris
Moodie, Graham
Salmond, Derek
Fulton, Mark
Bain, Kenneth
Christie, Michael
Hall, Gareth
Marshall, William
Dunn, Fergus
Nelson, Chris
Scholefield, Iain
Simpson, Joe
Stott, Niall