Leigh is no problem — we’re a bit sensitive
GORDON STRACHAN last night insisted that he is not concerned by Leigh Griffiths facing potential S FA sanctions less than a week before Scotland take on Nigeria.
The Celtic striker was yesterday named by the national manager in a 28-man squad f or the f riendly at Craven Cottage a fortnight tomorrow.
Six days before that match, Griffiths will face a Hampden hearing. Originally hauled up for chanting about Hearts ‘going bust’, it is also alleged that the 23-year- old joined with Hibs fans in a song that branded former Tynecastle favourite Rudi Skacel ‘a refugee’.
It is understood Griffiths is unlikely to face a ban if found guilty as the incidents were off-field, but he could be hit with a censure or a fine.
Strachan, though, moved to play down the furore that has surrounded the former Wolves player.
‘We’re a bit sensitive in the whole of Great Britain at the moment for anything,’ said Strachan.
‘I suppose if you could put a tax on stupidity then it might have cost him a few bob. He would be a very poor man.
‘I’ve no concerns. The fact is he enjoys playing football and he’s no problem to me.
‘I’m glad it’s not retrospective because I used to go to Hibs games and sing silly songs as well when I was a kid.’
Joining Griffiths in Strachan’s squad are a couple of new faces as the Scotland boss identified previously untapped talent.
And, in Derby, he has found players with a genuine passion to represent their country.
Craig Bryson has been in and around previous games under Strachan but has now been joined by club colleagues Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth to face Nigeria on May 28.
The case of striker Martin (below, left) is intriguing. A former England Under-19 cap born in Suffolk to a Scottish father, the 25-year-old earned a reputation for off-field bother when a young player at Norwich City.
Now seemingly older and wiser, he has flourished under the guidance of Steve McClaren at Derby. A powerful presence, Martin is the 25-goal focal point of a side that will compete in the Championship play- off final at Wembley four days before the Nigeria encounter.
‘I found out about a year ago that he could play because his dad is Scottish,’ said Strachan. ‘ The most important thing is that he really is proud to be Scottish himself.
‘We’ve tried to find out about s ome other lads and been told: “Listen, I’m English”. That’s great because we don’t want anyone to kid us on.
‘But Chris wants to be Scottish. I’ve l ooked at what Steven Naismith does for the team in terms of holding up the ball and getting midfield players involved. I felt we could do with more of that. I looked at Martin and thought he could do it.
‘He has 20- odd goals t his season and his assists are phenomenal. Between him and Bryson, they have scored and created some number of goals.
‘Chris is also a big lad and gives us something different. What I’ve noticed is that when the ball goes up to him, he knows where everyone is on the pitch. It’s not like he needs three touches. ‘We actually tried to get him for the last game in Poland but didn’t get all the paperwork through. Because he has played Under-19 for England, he had to send a form to FIFA saying he wanted t o be Scottish.’ Like Martin, former Dundee left-back Forsyth could be in line for his first cap against t he World Cupbound Nigerians and also stake a claim ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
‘I’ve been looking at him for most of the year — and he has just got better,’ said Strachan. ‘It’s a bit like the Andy Robertson story, he’s got knockbacks here, there and everywhere. But he has kept plugging on and every time you see Derby something happens down his side. He forces himself on the game, like Andy.
‘I think your full-backs have to be a bit like that these days, because no one is really playing as traditional wingers any more. The full-backs have to bomb on.’
While Martin and Forsyth provide new blood, there are returning old faces in the shape of fit-again Wigan pair Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell. They help cover for the absence for Norwich stalwarts Russell Martin and Robert Snodgrass, both rested after playing through injuries in their club’s failed bid to avoid the drop from the Barclays Premier League.
St Johnstone’s Stevie May has been left with the Under-21s given the importance of their European Championship qualifier against Holland on the same evening.
The Scotland boss has included four goalkeepers in the full squad, with Rangers’ Cammy Bell called up in case Allan McGregor suffers any setbacks in his recovery from kidney damage.
The Hull City No 1 is proving his fitness ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Arsenal, but was left on the bench in Scotland’s last outing — as David Marshall played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 win over Poland in March.
Strachan, though, is coy about who he expects to be first choice come the opening Euro 2016 tie against Germany in September.
‘I’ve got two No 1s at the moment,’ he said. ‘It’s unfortunate for Matt Gilks to hear that, but he’s not daft.
‘Someone might be No 1 one night — but I think there needs to be a point where you think: “OK, he’s got to be the one”.
‘You can see how desperate Hull are to get McGregor back for the Cup Final. That’s good. It’s good competition.’
A chunk of the squad will have been idle for 17 days by the time the Nigeria match rolls around but Strachan is confident about their professionalism.
‘I don’t think it’s a problem,’ he said. ‘Most players can be disciplined and behave themselves.
‘I think players can go away, enjoy themselves for a week within reason. It won’t make any difference to their fitness.
‘Speak to sports people and I think if it’s a three-week break, your standard of fitness will not go down. It’ll still be there.’