Mika calls on McLeish to go with his Hoops

CELTIC full-back Mikael Lustig has insisted that the Parkhead squad should form the nucleus of Alex McLeish’s Scotland side after their recent form within Brendan Rodgers’ side.

McLeish’s team have a Nation’s League double header against Albania and Israel, games they need to win.

James Forrest was left out of the starting line-up against Israel last month as Scotland lost 2-1 in Haifa, a decision that baffled Lustig who believes that Forrest is currently the best player in the country.

“It’s not just lately – as long as they have been playing they have made a contribution,” said the Swede. “James has been flying and when he’s on form there’s no better player in Scotland in my point of view.”

Callum McGregor, the only Celt this term to play in every game, has ably deputised for the injured Scott Brown over the last month while there is also a decision for McLeish to make on how and if he fits Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson into the same side.

And while Lustig is wary of picking a team he has voiced his belief that his colleagues are more than capable of putting their stamp on the national side.

“Even when he was not in the team I’ve always said that Cal was one of the most important players in the squad and now he’s here and starting every game,” said Lustig. “Callum has four or five [best roles in the team]. That’s why I said he is a really important guy to have because he can play everywhere.

“KT is KT. He’s never going to have a bad game and we always know what we are going to get. Now you can add Ryan [Christie] to that list – he has been brilliant.”