Lee Wallace ‘disappointed’ but respects Craig Levein’s decision not to include him in Scotland squad

Wallace fears for his Scotland future after being overlooked for last night’s friendly against Australia following his decision to stay at Ibrox and help the club’s Irn-Bru Third Division campaign. But the former Hearts player agrees with Levein’s assertion that a drop in club standard will make it more difficult to adjust to international football.

Levein last week said he had not closed the door on Wallace but admitted that playing in the Third Division made it difficult to pick him. He then called up Rangers midfielder Ian Black after injuries took hold, but stressed that the former Hearts midfielder was in as back-up.

Wallace, who was an unused substitute in Scotland’s previous game, a 5-1 defeat by the USA in May, told his club’s official website: “I’m a bit disappointed not to have been called in but that’s just life. I’ll take it on the chin and if I’m not involved, I’m not involved. I was happy enough to be involved in the trip at the end of last season, albeit I was called in as a reserve which isn’t always great. If you’re called upon, you get on with your job and that’s what I did. I’m disappointed but that’s as far as it goes and I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. I’ve got respect for the manager and I’m never going to come out and say anything against him.

“I think within the Scotland camp he has done well to get the team spirit which has been shown going over the last 18 months. I do buy into the fact that when you’re playing in the Third Division, you’re going to be a bit off the level and the standard required. I agree with that.”