Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod was on Tuesday awarded his first call-up for Scotland's 2016 European Championship qualifier at home to the Republic of Ireland and friendly at home to England.

The 20-year-old has been capped at every international level from under-16 to under-21 and has impressed national coach Gordon Strachan with his recent performances, scoring seven goals in the Scottish Championship.

"I get good reports from our coaches, people who have played against him, people who have worked with him, and I look forward to seeing him," Strachan told a press conference.

"I saw him in the first game of the season and I caught up with videos and obviously other people watch games. So it is easy to find out if a player is playing well. We think it will be good for us to have him along."

Stoke City full-back Phil Bardsley has been recalled following an injury to Aston Villa's Alan Hutton, while Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew returns after injury and suspension.

Scotland host the Irish at Celtic Park -- where Strachan, like Ireland coach Martin O'Neill, once managed Celtic -- on November 14 before returning there to face Roy Hodgson's England four days later.

Ireland are currently level with Poland on seven points in Euro 2016 qualifying Group D, with Scotland three points further back, behind world champions Germany on goal difference.

Asked by a journalist if he would accept a 'tanking' (heavy defeat) against old enemies England if it meant beating Poland, Strachan replied: "Depends what the definition of a tanking is! No, I wouldn't.

After a pause, he added: "No, I definitely wouldn't take a tanking by England!"