McCormack and Rhodes in Levein’s plans

CRAIG Levein is happy to hear people complaining about the omission of one player or another from his Scotland squads. He says that only proves that there is strength in depth and that everyone now recognises an even greater value in playing for the country.

There was a time not so long ago when the ease with which inclusion in the squad could be secured undermined the honour and permitted players more leeway when it came to showing up or not. But now there is competition and while the subjective nature of the sport means opinions will vary on who showed be bestowed the honour of pulling on the dark blue, Levein says at least he isn’t giving away caps cheaply. “I make absolutely no apologies for people not getting in the squad. I want it to be really difficult to get in,” he said, speaking at the launch of the book Hands on Hearts by former Tynecastle physio and friend Alan Rae. “I’m happy to hear people complaining they couldn’t get in the Scotland squad because that’s how it should be. There are players who are definitely on the radar. Some have been in the squad and some haven’t. A lot will depend on a number of things – who is fit and available to travel and who will be the back-ups.”

Discussing the upcoming friendlies in November and February, when Cyprus and Slovenia are the most likely opponents, he said that it was important to get the players back together as soon as possible to put the failure to qualify for Euro 2012 behind them and erase the feelings of disappointment. He conceded that he may make one or two changes to the squad as and when form and injuries dictate and was willing to countenance the inclusion of current golden boys Ross McCormack and Jordan Rhodes. It could be the case, as I’ve done with [James] Forrest, [Danny] Wilson, [Grant] Hanley, and [Chris] Maguire, that Jordan Rhodes becomes one of those younger ones who doesn’t necessarily play. But Ross McCormack was in our group for the Carling Cup games. The way I looked at it was that we were going with a lone striker. I know Ross has played there with Leeds but I looked at it with Kenny Miller, Craig Mackail-Smith and then David Goodwillie, who had played for us against Lithuania, and I didn’t think he deserved to be left out, so it was unfortunate.

“People playing well and not getting in the squad is an indication that the squad is getting stronger. It’s a standards thing. Ross is very much part of our plans. It depends on circumstances leading up to each game. What is required for the game? Who’s fit? Who’s available?

“There are certain situations where players will drop out. They’re either not playing well or the situation with Danny Wilson who isn’t playing regularly. I will find it difficult to include players who are not playing. I have to be ruthless and tough with them. I can’t force Danny Wilson’s hand but what I can say is ‘If you’re not playing football, you can’t expect to be playing in our national team’.

“It should be difficult to get a game for Scotland. And you need to come in and make an impact when you join the squad. Craig Mackail-Smith is a recent example – he comes in, gets the chance to make his debut and scores and then plays a really good game against Spain. That’s hugely encouraging for me but what it does is make it harder for Ross McCormack. It makes it harder for David Goodwillie who was in the squad there but if he’s not going to be playing for Blackburn then maybe Ross McCormack takes his place.

“I’ve got to try and be as consistent as possible. With every manager there’s always a situation where certain guys have done you a turn when you’ve been behind the eight ball and they’ve produced. You might say to yourself that guy has done it in a pressure situation before so you have go-to people. If Andy Webster gets himself playing 40 games this season then I’ve got the situation where he’s back in the squad.”

Levein is unwilling to commit on the matter of a James McFadden return just yet. Delighted to see him back in the English Premier League with Everton, he says there is scope for his inclusion despite the fact that his mercurial qualities are often considered in isolation rather than as part of a team. “James Forrest, Barry Bannan, and James Morrison are attack minded, so is Charlie Adam. The other thing of course is that as things progress and we get a settled back four and three or four out of the five midfielders settled into a team then it’s easier for me to start playing more attacking players. Maybe further down the road we can play a different system and bring other players in.”