Says Sheffield Wednesday striker can affect double header
Craig Levein. His displays were also severely criticised by supporters who were keen to see Griffiths given a start during an extended run without a goal. McLeish is confident he will be able to cope with the scrutiny he will be under as a result.
“That is the pressure of football,” he said. “It is the pressure of big names. It is something you are trained to deal with. I am sure Steven can deal with it as well. If there is pressure on him to deliver then he can handle it. He has been that kind of player all his career.”
McLeish, who has blooded a raft of young players since being appointed Scotland manager for a second time back in February, must have been feeling the heat himself when first Griffiths and then Naismith was ruled out in recent weeks.
Asked what was going through his mind when his two first-choice centre forwards were sidelined, he said: “I was thinking about alternatives – makeshift centre forwards, false centre forwards, all these modern positions.
“But I thought it was right that we try and seek out an experienced striker.”
The former Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers, Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager has also brought back Matt Phillips of Goalkeepers Craig Gordon (Celtic), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland).
Defenders Michael Devlin (Aberdeen), Scott McKenna (Aberdeen), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen O’Donnell (Kilmarnock), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Celtic), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen), Kevin McDonald (Fulham), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Callum Paterson (Cardiff City).
Forwards Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Oliver McBurnie (Swansea), Matt Phillips (West Brom), Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City). West Brom and Callum Paterson of Cardiff City and stressed the latter, who scored against Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League in England last month, would be utilised in an advanced role, rather than at right-back, if he is involved.
“Neil Warnock’s struggled for goals and he’s pushed him into the No 9 role and in recent weeks he’s done some damage,” he said.