Alex McLeish defends Scotland striker

Published on Friday 10 September 2010 14:42

Alex McLeish has defended James McFadden after he came in for criticism from Scotland manager Craig Levein and says he 'deserves respect'.

James McFadden: Criticised by Levein

McFadden was taken off at half-time during the fortunate 2-1 win over Liechtenstein and Levein was less than complimentary about the Birmingham City forward, accusing him of not working hard enough.

But McLeish, whose Birmingham side entertain Liverpool today, insists McFadden's commitment and workrate cannot be questioned.

He said: "I've worked with James for a long time now and he is actually one of the best trainers at the club. I can show you James' figures and they are way up there in terms of sports science. If anything he probably does too much in training.

"I don't think there should be any aspersions cast against James. He would walk over hot coals to play for Scotland.

"The last year has been typical James McFadden. He has been mercurial for Scotland, a real talisman and the Tartan Army love him - and he loves them back."

McLeish, who was manager of Scotland for ten matches in 2007, added: "James deserves respect and I am sure him and Craig will go on to have a good relationship. I am not going to take Craig Levein to task because he has criticised one of my players. I will continue to manage players my way and Craig has got to do it his way."

Levein picked out McFadden and Kris Boyd for criticism following the nerve-racking victory over Liechtenstein, which came courtesy of Stephen McManus' winner in the seventh minute of injury time.

The former two players were both substituted by the Scotland manager who said: "I didn't know that James McFadden and Boydy weren't going to play well. It wasn't just those two, there were other guys in the team who didn't play well. But the other people I'm thinking about all worked their backsides off."

Levein added: "I don't think I have been unfair to James McFadden. He has been given an opportunity to play and in the two games he has played (from the start], he played in Sweden and didn't do very well and then he played the other night and didn't do very well.

"This isn't about James McFadden, it's about having an understanding and a togetherness so that everybody works and provides the other members of their team with support and help. That's what team-work is all about."

McFadden, 27, is the leading scorer in the Scotland squad with 15 goals from 48 caps.

q SCOTLAND SPECIAL,

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SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

Photograph: Craig Williamson/SNS