Bates has been called up to Scotland’s senior side, after impressing for Hamburg since his Rangers exit.
David Bates has been called up to Scotland’s senior side after a string of impressive performances for new side Hamburger SV this season – and former Rangers teammate Martyn Waghorn congratulated the defender on Twitter.
Bates, 22, has been key to Hamburg’s push for an immediate promotion back to the top tier of German football, which sees them currently sit at the top of the pile with 27 points from 13 games.
Hamburg have conceded just five goals in the 11 appearances made by Bates. Indeed, the Scottish defender has helped his side keep an incredible eight clean sheets in that time.
His excellent for has been noted by Scotland boss Alex McLeish, calling him up alongside Ryan Jack, Scott Bain and Scott McTominay all selected for the matches against Albania and Israel in the UEFA Nations League.
Bates impressed after being handed his debut by Pedro Caixinha at Rangers, making 28 appearances for the club and earning the nickname ‘Ginger Ramos’, after Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
However, he decided against signing a new contract with the Gers and instead chose to move to Hamburg after Graeme Murty failed to meet his reported “greedy” demands of just £7,500 a week (Daily Record).
Former teammate Waghorn, who is now at Derby County after a £7.5million switch from Ipswich Town (EADT), congratulated ex-Rangers man Bates on Twitter after his first senior call-up.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
