Time isn’t up for Miller but Rhodes is ready

SCOTLAND manager Craig Levein expects Kenny Miller to remain his first choice striker for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign despite the emergence of Craig Mackail-Smith and Jordan Rhodes.

Miller, who will be 32 next month, is currently being kept out of the starting line-up at his club side Cardiff City by Irish under-21 international Joe Mason after a lean spell in front of goal for the former Rangers and Celtic player.

But, while Levein was delighted by Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith’s performances in Scotland’s final two Euro 2012 qualifiers and is excited by the potential of Huddersfield Town’s prolific 21-year-old Rhodes, who was named in the senior squad for the first time yesterday, he believes Miller is entitled to regard himself as the man in possession of the lone striker role in his favoured 4-1-4-1 system.

“I still think Kenny would be our main striker,” confirmed Levein. “I would think that is fair. I believe we will get another campaign from Kenny and his behaviour within the group would indicate that. He’s arguably as good as he’s ever been. I think we’ll get another campaign out of him and who knows beyond that?

“He’s certainly kept himself in such a good condition that he is a great example to the rest. I don’t have any fears about that aspect. In the end, it won’t only be my decision. Kenny will decide. But I don’t have any indication other than that he wants to carry on.”

While Miller will lead the line in next week’s friendly against Cyprus in Larnaca, Levein revealed that he will be joined by either Mackail-Smith or Rhodes at some stage of the evening.

“What I hope to do in this game is get two strikers on the pitch at some point,” added Levein. “That is part of my experimenting in this game.”

Rhodes, whose tally of 14 goals in 13 games for Huddersfield this season has been supplemented with five goals in two Euro under-21 qualifiers for Scotland, will make his senior debut at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium next Friday before joining up with Billy Stark’s under-21 squad for their crucial tie against the Netherlands in Nijmegen the following Monday.

There has been reported interest in Oldham-born Rhodes, who qualifies for Scotland through the new five-year schooling rule, from England under-21 coach Stuart Pearce but Levein insists that is not the motivation for his rapid promotion to his squad.

“In all honesty, that wasn’t my primary thought,” said Levein. “I know it has been mentioned and it is in the back of my mind. But, even by playing for us in this game, it won’t completely commit him to Scotland for the future.

“I’ve been impressed with him when I’ve seen him recently, on DVD. I haven’t seen him in the flesh this season, but I did a couple of times last season. He has improved again this season. If you had asked me a year ago whether he would be ready to play for the international team, I would probably have said ‘No’. But I feel now that his game has improved. Not only his goalscoring, although that is significant.

“I was worried a year ago that he might not be able to play the role in our preferred system of one striker at a young age. But looking at how he has performed that role for the under-21s, I’ve been extremely impressed by him. I think he deserves an opportunity.

“It’s a reward for how he has been playing. David Goodwillie, Grant Hanley, Danny Wilson, Barry Bannan and James Forrest have all made that progression from the under-21s into the senior team. I want to encourage players coming through the system to think that if they stick in, work really hard and do my best, that there is a clear pathway from the youth system directly into the national team. I want to be seen as actively encouraging that, but I won’t do it if I don’t feel the players are capable.

“Jordan has been welcomed into the Scotland set-up at under-21 level and he has been rewarded and praised for how he has played, for his attitude towards playing for Scotland. We have very recent cases of guys who have come into the senior squad with the same philosophy. They are desperate to prove themselves as international football players for Scotland. Jordan is another one who fits into that category.”

Rangers are the only Scottish club represented in Levein’s squad. There are no Celtic players, young winger James Forrest instead being used by the under-21s for their game against Dutch.

“Given James’ recent form, there’s every chance he would have played for us in Cyprus,” said Levein. “But I want to help Billy get a good result in Holland and he feels James is the one who will be the biggest help to him. In the case of Jordan Rhodes, who will be involved with both squads, I’ve spoken to his club manager Lee Clark and explained he’ll play a small part of the senior game. He’s happy with that.”

There is a recall for Norwich City central defender Russell Martin, who made his debut against Wales in May, at the expense of Middlesbrough’s Stephen McManus. Blackpool left-back Stephen Crainey is also left out, with Lee Wallace of Rangers preferred to him, while in-form Leeds United striker Ross McCormack loses out to fit-again QPR front man Jamie Mackie.

“I won’t learn anything about McManus or Crainey by having them in this squad, but I will learn about Russell and Lee,” explained Levein. “Jamie also comes into that category. I’m a huge fan of his and the Scotland fans have yet to see the best of him.”

There will also be a change in Levein’s backroom staff for next week’s five-day trip. As expected, Dundee United manager Peter Houston will remain at the Tannadice club on this occasion, with recently recruited Scotland under-17 coach Ricky Sbragia filling the void.

SCOTLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers:

Matt Gilks (Blackpool)

David Marshall (Cardiff)

Allan McGregor (Rangers)

Defenders:

Phil Bardsley (Sunderland)

Christophe Berra (Wolves)

Gary Caldwell (Wigan)

Grant Hanley (Blackburn)

Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)

Russell Martin (Norwich)

Lee Wallace (Rangers)

Steven Whittaker (Rangers)

Midfielders:

Charlie Adam (Liverpool)

Don Cowie (Cardiff)

Graeme Dorrans (West Brom)

Darren Fletcher (Man Utd) (c)

James McArthur (Wigan)

James Morrison (West Brom)

Barry Robson (Middlesbro’)

Robert Snodgrass (Leeds)

Forwards:

David Goodwillie (Blackburn)

Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton)

Jamie Mackie (QPR)

Kenny Miller (Cardiff)

Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield)