TO FACE ENGLAND AT HAMPDEN ON JUNE 10

Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.

“It worked the last time but you have got to remember there were other players playing as well and they were terrific as well,” Strachan said. “The Celtic players did very well and it’s a continuation of what they have been doing as well. So, that’s in the forefront, you can tell by the squad. It was easy to pick these players.

“Leigh Griffiths is getting a game regularly just now. His 45 minutes (against Slovenia) was exceptional.

“He must have played well because I was playing football with my grandchildren and they wanted to be Scotland, and the first two picks were Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths. I thought ‘if they are playing then I’m chucking it’.”

Strachan felt McLean was excellent throughout Aberdeen’s recent 3-1 defeat by Celtic. The 25-yearold, who has one cap, is included partly at the expense of RB Leipzig winger Oliver Burke, who is set to join the Scotland under20s squad for the Toulon tournament.

Strachan feels too much expectation has been placed on the £13million winger, partly from himself.

He added: “Oliver started the last game of the season, his first game for a long, long time.

“We feel the Toulon tournament will be better for him, to get three games in a short period of time, so he can breathe and enjoy himself without too much pressure. Whereas every time he steps on the pitch here and every time anyone speaks, there is a lot of pressure on him. I don’t think that’s fair on Oliver.

“Oliver is going to be a top player. All he needs now is games and we let Leipzig get on with that to judge when he gets games.”

Swansea left back Stephen Kingsley is also in after Lee Wallace was ruled out after stomach surgery, while West Brom winger Matt Phillips and Newcastle pair Grant Hanley and Matt Ritchie drop out after ending the season on the sidelines through injury.

Sheffield Wednesday forward Jordan Rhodes also misses out.