Concessions of a dangerous kind...
McLeish admits to seeking assurances of commitment from his AWOL Scotland stars as end-of-season trip threatens to turn to farce
WITH 77 appearances over 13 years as an internationalist, Alex McLeish’s commitment to playing for Scotland was never in question. Only three men — Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton and Darren Fletcher — did it more often than the flamehaired defender but there is a feeling that, to the current generation, some caps are more valuable than others.
The decision to take on end-of-season friendlies in Peru and Mexico was taken before McLeish commenced his second watch as national coach and, although the trip offers many attractions to a man of such a cosmopolitan outlook, it is debatable the 59-year-old would have agreed to the jaunt had he been consulted in advance.
To put it mildly, he has found the task of assembling a travelling party challenging.
First, he had to contend with the concerns of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers that some of his players needed rest between the conclusion of a gruelling domestic campaign and an exacting Champions League qualifying schedule. An accord was reached granting the likes of Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest a rest.
Dispensation also had to be made for Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson’s involvement in the Champions League final, while Robert Snodgrass, Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald have been excused in respect of their involvement in the English Championship Play-off final next Saturday.
On Monday, McLeish named a 24-man squad for the two games but four have subsequently withdrawn. McLeish has served each with a reminder of his own patriotism and expectations for the future yet, with qualification for Euro 2020 his utmost priority, he must tread carefully.
‘I’ve phoned most of the boys who have dropped out and said I want them to be really passionate about playing for Scotland,’ said McLeish. ‘They said: “Gaffer, we really want to play”.
‘Matt Ritchie has been struggling in the last few weeks. There’s one or two we’ve made concessions on.
‘If we are going to make any concessions, it’s now — we want to get everybody buzzing for the September fixtures. ‘If it is a World Cup there is a
different mindset and mentality, but we did know that there would be a few who would drop out.
‘We had agreements with one or two people — James McArthur with Crystal Palace and a couple of the Celtic players. These were all kind of planned. But the call-offs since, wee Ryan Fraser and so on, (weren’t planned).’
In addition to Ritchie and Fraser, Wolves’ Barry Douglas and Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor have also pulled out.
Celtic’s Scott Bain has been called in as McGregor’s replacement, so Scotland will go to the Americas without a capped keeper.
‘McGregor is not going to be available for personal reasons, so we have to respect that,’ continued McLeish. ‘I get information from (goalkeeping coach) Stevie Woods and he said that Scott was one we should definitely look at.
‘Jon McLaughlin has had a great season at Hearts, as has Jordan Archer with Millwall. It is a great opportunity for the boys.
‘We have had these goalkeepers for nigh on ten years now. There are a couple of new ones on the block.’
Seven outfield players are also in contention to make their debuts on tour, but experience is thin on the ground.
Charlie Mulgrew captained the team in McLeish’s first two matches against Costa Rica and Hungary and is the most experienced on board, with 34 caps. Next comes Matt Phillips with 11.
‘Charlie says he wants to keep playing for Scotland and get as many caps as he can,’ continued McLeish. ‘He has an immense pride in playing for this country and it’s that type of character that should rub off on the young guys — it should be infectious.
‘I’ve reminded some of the guys that have pulled out that playing for Scotland is a platform to be even more recognised. They should never lose that passion playing for us.
‘I don’t see any reason to change the captaincy if Charlie is on the pitch. And if we see some of these new lads having a couple of great games, then we have won a watch.
‘These are games they might cherish forever. The fact they’ve maybe made their debut for Scotland, or have added couple of caps beside their name, it should be self-empowering.’
Motherwell winger Chris Cadden and Kilmarnock full-back Stephen O’Donnell are two to have received a surprise phone call this week.
McLeish’s mind drifts back 38 years to the night he was first told he’d be representing his country.
‘I was at an awards dinner and had just lost on a recount to John McDonald for Young Player of the Year,’ he said. ‘Jock Stein came up to me and said: “Never mind about that — you’re playing for Scotland on Wednesday night”.
‘I was stunned, shaking, but the game with Portugal went great. We won 4-1 and I played in midfield with wee Archie Gemmill, who chaperoned me.
‘I’m sure some of the experienced guys we’ve got on this trip can do the same for the younger guys coming in for the first time.’
To that end McLeish, will be hoping Mulgrew stays fit and the rest buy into their journey to an unfamiliar continent. The team flies out on Wednesday before facing Peru in Lima the following Tuesday and then moving on to Mexico City. Both nations have qualified for this summer’s World Cup and McLeish wants his squad to show it has tournament potential.
‘You have to embrace the trip,’ he said. ‘That’s my war cry.’
We want to get everyone buzzing for the bigger fixtures in September