MCLEISH: LEIGH HASN’T LET ME DOWN

Scotland manager insists he respects Celtic striker’s decision

SCOTLAND manager Alex McLeish insists he does not feel let down by Leigh Griffiths’ decision to pull out of the squad set to face Israel in tomorrow’s crucial Nations League clash.

Victory in Haifa will put the Scots within touching distance of the play-offs and a potential wild card shot at Euro 2020.

But they will have to do it without Griffiths, who has withdrawn from McLeish’s squad after claiming he needs to work on his fitness levels.

The Celtic hitman’s decision to snub international duty while having no specific injury that would rule out his involvement is in contrast to the situation with Ryan Fraser.

The Bournemouth winger limped off injured during his side’s win against Watford at the weekend but was still so desperate to play his part for his country that he flew north anyway in the hope of persuading the Scotland medics to let him travel to Israel. Those hopes were dashed as he was told to return to Eddie Howe’s Premier League outfit.

But McLeish insists Fraser’s conduct does not

paint Griffiths in an even worse light.

Asked if he felt let down by the Parkhead striker, the Scotland manager said: “No, no I don’t. Leigh doesn’t feel he is fit enough and wants to concentrate on his fitness – and you have to respect Leigh’s decision.

“I had a good chat with him on Saturday and I think he has cleared that up with his statement.

“I’m not going to throw him under a bus as such. He came to the games last time round and there was no animosity whatsoever.

“Yeah I can see in a player’s body language when they don’t like not playing. I could see that not only with Leigh Griffiths [against Albania last month], I could see it with a number of players. It’s natural.

“I think it’s big of him to say that he needs to get fitter to play at these levels.”

Fraser’s call-off is another blow for McLeish given the sparkling form he has been in playing wide on the left for the Cherries.

McLeish tried him out in a right wing-back role against Belgium last month without much success but admitted he had been preparing to reshape his line-up to squeeze the former Aberdeen youngster in.

He said: “To see him unleashing his pace and power in a more forward position with Bournemouth has obviously opened my eyes up to playing him in a different position and changing the system.

“He’s saved his electric performances for his club in recent weeks and we were very keen to get him involved with Scotland because of the way he has been burning it up down there in England.”