The call-offs aren’t a personal thing against Steve ...but if they don’t want to be here then they’ll get pushed aside
Scotland assistant Dyer issues a warning over international futures to missing players
PERCEPTION and reality don’t always go hand in hand and Scotland assistant boss Alex Dyer understands how all of this looks for the national set-up.
The mass injury exodus that has robbed the country of most of our elite players resembles a giant slap across the chops for international manager Steve Clarke. But the gaffer’s right-hand man is adamant that is simply not the case. Dyer manfully addressed the thorny issue in Scotland’s base camp at Oriam yesterday and insisted the raft of withdrawals is all above board and definitely not a personal slight against the manager.
It’s a tricky position to maintain mind you when the cast list missing for this weekend’s double-header against Cyprus and Kazakhstan reads like a who’s who of Scottish football.
In fact, it’s easier to name a right good starting line-up with the players who are going to be missing.
Allan McGregor in goal? Deal. Backline of Andy Robertson, Charlie Mulgrew, Liam Cooper and Kieran Tierney? Not too shabby.
What about Scott Brown and Scott McTominay in the engine room, Robert Snodgrass and Ryan Fraser wide, and Steven Fletcher and Leigh Griffiths up top? You’d fancy that lot to mop up six points out of six without too much fuss. Expect with Scotland there’s always a fuss – and there always seems to be withdrawals, retirements or refusals. Even among the ones who are here, last time around Oli McBurnie was caught on camera saying it was “s***” going on Scotland duty.
At least the big fella later backtracked but No.2 Dyer is certain the squad decimation is by no means a backlash against the boss.
“He said: “No it is not personal. It is never going to be personal, it is football. “You pick it and if they don’t want to be here or are injured then push them aside and take the ones that are here. “There is no time for messing around. If there are lads who don’t want to be here that is fair enough. The manager knows what it’s about. He knows it’s hard work and there will be disappointments along the way. “But knowing the man it’s about the ones who are here. They are the ones who will make the difference. He wants to work with people who want to be here and want to give it their all. That’s all he focuses on.” Dyer couldn’t go through every individual case, he has a flight to catch on Friday after all, but he does insist there’s nothing untoward going on. When it was put to him players simply can’t be bothered with these dead rubbers, Dyer said: “That is not the case.
“It’s a tough job for the manager but he knows what it takes in international football. He knows you name a squad and you know some of them are not going to be here.
“They play for their clubs and give 100 per cent every Saturday. There will always be a point when some of them get injured.
“The most important thing is the boys who are here, they want to be here and they want to help Scotland push on and win these two games.”
Fair play to Robertson. The skipper could have been on the beach but he reported for duty with the squad and will offer moral support all week.
Dyer said: “It’s important that he’s here for the build-up. He’s a big part of things here. He’s arguably the best full-back in Europe, if not the world, and we need him around.
“He’s a good leader. It’s sad he can’t train and play but it’s a good chance for someone else to step up to the plate. Andy wants to be around for a few days.”
It would have been handy to have Kieran Tierney though. He is starring for Arsenal and his club throwing their weight around to get him out of national service only opened the door for others to follow.
Dyer doesn’t agree though and said: “I don’t know what the arrangement is or if there is an arrangement with Tierney. Obviously we’d love Kieran to be here but he does have problems and the club want him to be there. We have to let that one go.”
Dyer admitted Clarke and the SFA might consider getting tougher in March but in the meantime it’s all about ending a wretched campaign with a couple of wins.
Even the replacements have caused some controversy, with winger Lewis Morgan drafted in despite not featuring for Celtic in recent months.
But Dyer said: “Just because you are not playing for your club it does not mean you are a bad player. It just means that club has better players or the manager is picking players he trusts maybe more.
“It doesn’t mean Lewis is not a good player because he is. We saw him work in the first camp he was here and he trained and played well. We want to finish the group as high as possible which is the main thing.
“The next two games are so important for the lads who are here.”
“They are genuinely injured. All the players mentioned in the squad want to be here but can’t be in the circumstances due to injuries. It’s part of the game, it’s part of international football.
The boys who are here want to help Scotland win these two games
ALEX DYER