Derek McInnes admits he can’t comprehend why none of his table-topping Hearts players were included in Steve Clarke’s latest Scotland squad.
Ahead of the forthcoming double header against Japan and Ivory Coast, the national team manager named a 26-man party for the friendlies which will go a long way to deciding who travels to the World Cup.
Although Lawrence Shankland and Craig Gordon would likely have been included if it wasn’t for their recent fitness issues, eyebrows were raised when none of the other players who have taken Hearts to the top of the Premiership since the end of September were called up.
Craig Halkett and Harry Milne were among the top performers in McInnes’ squad to miss out, with Clarke opting for many familiar names including some individuals who are not playing regularly at club level.
‘Surprised, probably not,’ said McInnes when asked about their omission ahead of Saturday’s visit of Dundee. ‘Disappointed, yeah, absolutely. I think we’ve been a really strong team this season and there’s been key players within it.
‘My opinion doesn’t matter, I don’t really like people telling me what players to pick in my team, and the only opinion that matters is Steve’s, but it doesn’t mean to say I think he’s right with it.
McInnes was ‘disappointed but not surprised’ that his players didn’t make Scotland squad
Steve Clarke has not called up any players from form teams Hearts and Motherwell
‘I do think I’ve got players that have earned the opportunity to be part of an international set-up, but hopefully the lads’ motivation keeps going, they keep doing well and hopefully in time they get there, that’s the hope.
‘I speak to the lads regularly about it and I do believe we have players who could represent the country, there’s no question of that to me.
‘So, while there’s disappointment that they’re not in this squad, you all know how things can change and, whether it’s through injury or whatever, players get opportunities.
‘There’s enough motivation for them to get on with here but, if there’s any added motivation to try and be part of a World Cup squad then, of course, it can only help.
‘They’ll probably be a bit disappointed, but you soon have to refocus on what we’re doing here. Their performances for us over the season is what will get them in and maybe, hopefully, that will be the case in time.’
The absence of any Motherwell players from the squad was another issue Clarke was asked about on Monday, with Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn, Stephen Welsh and Elliot Watt staking strong claims this term.
‘I really think both those teams have been exceptional,’ said Clarke earlier this week. ‘But maybe the team is better than the sum of the parts, which is a credit to the coaching staff and managers of both teams.’
Those comments riled supporters of both clubs.
Many Hearts fans thought that Craig Halkett had done enough to earn a call from Steve Clarke
Harry Milne has also been in impressive form for Premiership leaders Hearts
Asked about Clarke’s comments, McInnes said: ‘Yeah, I understood the context of that. Like I say, Steve’s opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to picking the Scotland squad, and I understand what he’s saying with that ,but it doesn’t mean to say that I agree that some of my players shouldn’t be in the squad.
‘Because he thinks it, it doesn’t mean I think he’s right, but it’s the only opinion that matters, and he’s done pretty well with his opinions with the team.’
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou said he wasn’t surprised that his players weren’t involved as he felt Clarke would largely stand by those who had helped the team qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1998.
‘I don’t have the knowledge about potential players that he can pick,’ said the Dane. ‘Steve Clarke is in a much better position to pick his team for his style of football and for what’s coming, which is a massive thing for Scottish football and for him and his staff and the team, which is the World Cup just around the corner.
‘I would be very surprised if there were suddenly a lot of changes in that squad that has brought them there and that, with the last opportunity they have before it kicks off in the summer, they would start testing all sorts of things.
‘So, I’m not surprised. As I’ve said before, we play a very different style of football than the national team does, which means that what our players showcase with us might not be possible for them to show.’
