Craig Levein defends decision not to pick Ross McCormack

Leeds United frontman McCormack, who has scored 16 goals for his club this season, expressed his dismay after again being left out by Levein when the Scotland party was announced for next Wednesday’s friendly in Slovenia.

The 25-year-old, who has not played for Scotland since the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin nine months ago, believes he has a stronger case for inclusion than Craig Mackail-Smith, Jamie Mackie and David Goodwillie, who were all named by Levein despite not being regular first-team starters for their respective clubs.

“He (McCormack) is obviously very disappointed not to be in the squad which I can understand,” said Levein. “It’s great for me that someone who is playing that well and scoring goals can’t get a place in the squad.”

McCormack claims he has been ignored by Levein and his backroom staff since winning the last of his seven Scotland caps against Ireland last May. “I don’t feel as if I will be in a squad no matter if I score goals or not,” he said. “The only striker in the squad who is playing for his club is Kenny Miller. I have scored 15 goals in 26 starts in the league and I think that speaks for itself. I have no idea why I’m not in the squad. But it must be something as there has been no contact whatsoever since I played in Ireland. It is Craig Levein’s decision and if he doesn’t fancy me and doesn’t want to put me in the squad then that is completely up to him. I don’t have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad. I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn’t answered the phone. No-one will tell me why I haven’t been in the last few squads.”

Levein, meanwhile, is determined that English under-20 international midfielder Matt Phillips will travel to Slovenia for the match despite Blackpool manager Ian Holloway seeking to have his player withdrawn as the Championship club have a league game against Hull City two days later. “I’m going to speak to Ian,” said Levein, “but Matt is in the squad.”