Shinnie to get nod as Tierney misses out

SCOTLAND: McLeish has ‘obvious candidate’

Scotland manager Alex McLeish will turn to Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie at leftback following the withdrawal Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson for tonight’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Kazakhstan.

Celtic’s Tierney yesterday joined skipper Robertson in being ruled out for the match at Astana Arena due to a hip problem, although the pair could be fit for Sunday’s match in San Marino.

That means McLeish is now likely to turn to Shinnie, whose only previous international start from five national caps came in a 2-0 friendly defeat away to Mexico last June.

McLeish will have no qualms about handing former Caley Thistle player Shinnie a maiden competitive starting appearance.

He said: “There’s an obvious option in Graeme Shinnie. He played 90 minutes for us in the Azteca Stadium at left-back and also wing back when we changed formation and did it with great aplomb.

“He’s a fantastic athlete in the best form of his career this season. He would be the obvious candidate.”

“He’s versatile and can play in different positions across the midfield too. As long as I don’t lose a couple of central defenders and have to play him there.

“Graeme is a very well respected player and he has been a great asset to this squad.”

Should Shinnie be selected, he could be joined by Dons team-mate Scott McKenna, who McLeish confirmed has shrugged off a hamstring problem and is available for selection.

Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor will captain the Scots for the first time in Robertson’s absence, and McLeish

added: “His eyes lit up and it was a great feeling to be able to say that to somebody.

“It was just great to see how chuffed he was as the recipient of the good news.

“It was the same when I told Andy Robertson and big Scott McKenna in Mexico last year.

“He’s just a guy who is a great example to every young footballer in Scotland who wants to be a professional.”

The trip to Kazakhstan marks the start of Scotland’s EURO 2020 qualifying campaign, and although McLeish’s side have already guaranteed a play-off place by virtue of winning their Nations League campaign, the Scots’ boss is determined to keep the momentum going against a side ranked 117th in the world.

Scotland are ranked in 40th place at present.

McLeish added: “It’s an extremely important game.

“We are expected to come to places like Kazakhstan and win.

“We’re ranked above them and that’s the mentality that the players have to get used to.

“The biggest respect they can pay themselves and the Kazakhs is to play to their top level.

“I keep using the word momentum but if we can build that we can be a threat to anybody.”

SNS.