Mcleish warns Scotland’s missing pair

Alex Mcleish, the Scotland manager, has posted a warning to Robert Snodgrass and James Mcarthur that their international futures cannot be guaranteed, after the pair asked not to be considered for next week’s friendly against Belgium and the Uefa Nations League group tie against Albania on Sept 10.

“I haven’t closed the doors on anybody,” said Mcleish. “I had a good conversation with James and he is opting out because he has had issues with his body. That was a blow because he is in good form. He makes it looks effortless at times.

“I had a chat with Snoddy and he wanted to wait and see before he really committed himself to come back in. Those were the conversations I had with them leading into the summer. At the moment, it is still the same. Let us see how the next month goes.

“Snoddy isn’t far away. He has left the door open. James said he wanted to leave the door open and I thought, ‘Well, if we’re doing well you might not get back in’. I guess he has got to take that chance, but it was a good conversation.”

Asked if newer players might feel their positions were vulnerable to established individuals coming and going at their own discretion, Mcleish said: “The gauntlet has been thrown down to a lot of the players. If they are doing it, they will be the first names picked.”

Scotland squad: Goalkeepers Archer (Millwall), Gordon (Celtic), Mcgregor (Rangers). Defenders Hendry (Celtic), Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), O’donnell (Kilmarnock), Robertson (Liverpool), Shinnie (Aberdeen), Souttar (Hearts), Tierney (Celtic). Midfielders Armstrong (Southampton), Cairney (Fulham), Forrest (Celtic), Fraser (Bournemouth), Mcdonald (Fulham), Mcginn (Aston Villa), Mcgregor (Celtic), Mctominay (Manchester United), Paterson (Cardiff City). Forwards Griffiths (Celtic), Mcburnie (Swansea City), Phillips (West Bromwich Albion), Russell (Sporting Kansas City).