The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints boss hits out at snub for keeper
Wright feels Clark is ‘playing in wrong colour kit’ to get international call
Zander Clark is being overlooked for Scotland recognition because of the club he plays for, according to St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.
The Perth boss – himself a former international goalkeeper and coach – described Clark’s omission from Gordon Strachan’s latest squad as “extremely disappointing”.
And, like Stevie May before him, Wright believes the “best young keeper in the country” hasn’t been called up because he is “playing in the wrong colour of kit.”
“It is extremely disappointing Zander hasn’t made the squad,” he said.
“When squads are being announced it shouldn’t be more about hope than expectation where Zander is concerned. He should feel disappointed he isn’t involved in some way.
“I think Zander should be in the national squad and not just because I am his manager.
“I do believe that if he played at a bigger club he would be in there. That might be controversial but it is how I feel.
“That’s how Stevie May felt when he was banging in the goals here a few years ago but didn’t get a call up until he left for England.
“Supporters here will tell you it has happened a few times with St Johnstone players down the years.”
“They have been capped after they have moved on,” Wright added.
“People will say they know more about a player who has come up through the age groups. But I don’t buy into this talk that players should have been in the system.
“I always speak up for my players and I just feel Zander is playing in the wrong colour of kit to improve his Scotland chances.
“Zander is young for a goalkeeper at 24 but he is the best young keeper in the country. I just think he deserves some sort of recognition for what he has done over the last 12 months.
“There is no doubt that Gordon, Marshall and McGregor are more experienced than Zander. But there is a chance at this level to bring in a fourth keeper and give him a flavour of what international football is all about. They have done that before and this is a big squad that has been named.
“I don’t even think he is on stand-by so that tells you where he is in the pecking order.”