Friendlies are a chance
IN a week when Charlie Nicholas questioned Scott McTominay’s decision to represent Scotland, citing one of the reasons he was perplexed was because McTominay “sounded English”, perhaps the shouts yesterday for in-form Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd to be recalled to the national side after an eight-year absence weren’t so outlandish after all.
The 34-year-old has been banging the goals in of late, in all fairness. And the fact that Nicholas, who is now like that slightly dotty uncle you put up with at family gatherings despite some questionable Facebook posts, hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon to trumpet his return to the dark blue, suggests at least that it might not be too barking a notion.
But the Kilmarnock man’s time has come and gone at international level. Without meaning to be unkind to Boyd, he would admit himself that he has been in better shape throughout his career, despite always taking stick for his physical condition even at his peak.
It might also be an extremely awkward moment as he strolls through the doors of the first squad gathering, particularly if Ryan Jack, Graeme Shinnie or Kenny McLean were to be involved. Jack is injured, of course, but it’s not a leap to suggest that the other two may find their names among those Alex McLeish announces on Monday.
Given Boyd called the trio’s inclusion in Malky Mackay’s squad to face The Netherlands in November “a laughing stock”, they might not be so keen to share a lunch table with the part-time pundit.
And above all else, in friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary, there is nothing to be learned from Boyd’s inclusion.
When McLeish was unveiled as national team manager for the second time, I don’t think I was alone in thinking that it was a missed opportunity to sweep a new broom through the Scotland set-up, but I may yet be eating humble pie if the first squad of his new reign is littered with the promising talent that I believe can be the backbone of our national side for years to come. This is the time to find out if they can cut it, and it would give our national side a muchneeded shot in the arm if some exciting young players were given a chance to shine. Jordan Archer should be among the goalkeepers, and while Allan McGregor has been a great keeper over the years, I don’t see the value in calling him up for these matches. With the personnel available to Scotland, a back three may be the way to get the best out of players in future. I would like to see John Souttar, Scott McKenna and Liam Lindsay in the squad, and I wouldn’t be averse to any one of the first three lining up alongside Christophe Berra and Kieran Tierney, who would be my shout for captain, in the first Euro 2020 qualifier. Give them a chance, and let’s see who is up to it.
AMAIN advantage of that system is that it allows Scotland to get their two best players into the side in positions they are comfortable in.
Having Tierney at left centre-back may blunt his attacking threat, but that would be compensated for and more by having the imperious Andy Robertson of Liverpool flying up and down the left flank. The retirement of Scott Brown is a blow to the side, but despite what Champagne Charlie might think, it is a massive feather in Alex McLeish’s cap that he has managed to persuade Manchester United youngster McTominay to pull on the dark blue. The 21-year-old is a magnificent prospect, and my only hope is that he isn’t asked to do a job for Scotland that he doesn’t perform for his club side, in a way that Darren Fletcher often was. While a magnificent player for the national team, I often felt we didn’t see the best of Fletcher in a Scotland jersey because too much was expected of him as a playmaker, while he was one of the best in the world at breaking up play, winning possession and had a magnificent range of passing at his peak. Let’s allow McTominay to do what he does best, and not expect too much of him because of who he plays for.
Other new names I’d like to see in the frame would be Motherwell’s Allan Campbell, a gem of a player and also a possible long-term heir to Brown’s throne, Chris Cadden and Dylan McGeouch, who has been in wonderful form for Hibs. Oli McBurnie would also be worth a look as he bangs in the goals for Barnsley on loan from Swansea.
Over to you, Alex.