Levein

[Gribz 743]

Questioning the value of Steven Fletchers price tag. Whilst I actually agree he isnt worth 12m its still not the place for the national manager to come out and scoop a cheap point.

 

Cringeworthy man!

 

Scotland manager Craig Levein has insisted he has had no change of position over striker Steven Fletcher's absence from the national side.

 

The striker informed Levein he did not wish to be selected for the team ahead of a match in 2011 by text message.

 

And Levein maintains that Fletcher will not be selected while he is manager.

 

"I decided going into this campaign I wanted guys with me who 100% wanted to play for Scotland," he told BBC Scotland's Sportsound.

 

"It had been a year that the door had been open.

 

"At the time I made the comparison between Steven Fletcher and Darren Fletcher, one who would do anything he could to play for his country and one who didn't bother lifting the phone."

 

Fletcher, who is set to complete a £12m move to Sunderland from Wolves , sent the text message ahead of the Carling Nations Cup match against Northern Ireland.

 

He had previously criticised Levein for not playing him in Euro 2012 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Spain.

 

Levein also questioned the transfer fee being paid, not just for Fletcher, but players in the English Premier League generally.

 

"There aren't that many strikers going about, so it's a seller's market," he said.

 

"In this country, at this minute in time, it's a seller's market for just about nothing at all, other than selling footballers.

 

"We can argue all day long if he's worth that sort of money, it just seems quite obscene, but that's the going rate - that's the figure that people are paying for strikers."

[stewarty 1,881]

Agreed. Levein in lack of class shocker. Again!

[GovanAllan 0]

Levein = Fanny

 

Looks like he goes to the same PR coach as his boss Rhegan.

[Gribz 743]

Not only is it a bad comment, if Fletcher is good enough for Scotland then he should let bygones be bygones and in the interest of the national team he should pick the striker if he apologieses and makes himself available.

[Gazza_8 233]

He's just named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers.

 

Pish!

[craig 5,199]

How's things stranger ? Been a long time since we saw you round here. Hows the family doing ?

[craig 5,199]

Can you post up the squad ?

[Gribz 743]

Squad:

 

Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Allan McGregor (Besiktas), David Marshall (Cardiff City)

 

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic), Daniel Fox (Southampton), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian)

 

Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Don Cowie (Cardiff City), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)

 

Forwards: Ross McCormack (Leeds United), Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers), Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Steven Naismith (Everton), Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield Town)

[Gribz 743]

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been included in the Scotland squad for the opening World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia.

 

The Beskitas keeper had been a doubt after coming off injured during the recent friendly with Australia.

 

Celtic midfielders Scott Brown and Kris Commons have not been selected by manager Craig Levein.

 

Brown is to see a specialist regarding a hip injury and could yet be called up if he is deemed fit enough.

 

"Scott Brown has hardly trained this season and he's only played in the really important matches," explained Levein.

 

"He took an injection to play [against Helsingborgs] last night and he's visiting a specialist today in a bid to resolve the issues he has.

 

"Obviously I'd like him to be involved and if the specialist thinks he can be then I can bring him in but it looks unlikely at this time."

 

The news on McGregor, who sustained a groin injury against Australia, was more positive.

 

"Allan feels he will be fit to play," added Levein. "There is still a small element of doubt but the good thing is that we gather on Sunday so we'll have plenty of time to assess him.

 

"We're talking about an experienced player in his late 20s who knows his body and he's confident he will be fit."

 

Ross McCormack keeps his place in the squad after scoring as a substitute against the Socceroos.

 

He will compete for a forward berth with Jordan Rhodes, who scored his first international goal against Australia, Steven Naismith, Jamie Mackie, and Kenny Miller.

 

Miller, who features in the squad for the first time since moving to Vancouver Whitecaps, may captain in the side in the absence of Darren Fletcher, who continues his comeback from a prolonged illness-related absence.

 

The Manchester United midfielder will, however, train with the squad, as he did before the Australia match.

 

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell is in line to win his 50th cap and is also a candidate to wear the armband.

 

Barry Bannan drops out but his Aston Villa team-mate Alan Hutton remains in the squad despite not playing for his club this season.

 

Southampton left-back Danny Fox keeps his place, with full-backs Phil Bardsley and Steven Whittaker absent through injury and Lee Wallace overlooked for the opening Group A matches.

 

Wallace's Rangers team-mate Ian Black, who was booed by some fans when he made his Scotland debut as a substitute against Australia, is also omitted.

 

Commons, who has scored four goals in six games this season, has not featured for Scotland since withdrawing from the squad ahead of the May 2011 matches against Wales and Republic of Ireland.

 

"We are so strong in the forward and wide areas that I didn't feel that any of the guys who have been in the squad recently deserved to be left out," said Levein.

 

"We're very fortunate to have James Forrest, Jamie Mackie, Ross McCormack, Shaun Maloney, Kenny Miller, James Morrison, Steven Naismith, Matt Philips, Jordan Rhodes, Robert Snodgrass.

 

"All of those guys can play in the same positions as Kris Commons. I feel I've picked the best squad available.

 

"It's good to see Kris has started the season particularly well but these guys have done exceptionally well for me. Being in the position that I can afford to Kris out is a huge step forward for us.

 

"The one I feel most sorry for is Craig Mackail-Smith. He doesn't deserve to be left out but the fact is competition is really strong just now."

 

Contradicts himself on a permanent basis. Hutton hasnt kicked a ball but gets in the squad (albeit probably rightly on ability), but its one policy for one player and another for others.

 

Twat of a guy. Never been so not caring going into a world cup qualifying campaign in my life! Yet this group is the most winnable group we have had in a long long time. Levein should have been sacked after the hiding by the USA to allow a proper coach to get us through.

[Gazza_8 233]

How's things stranger ? Been a long time since we saw you round here. Hows the family doing ?

 

Yeah, it's been a while since I last posted. Got bored of the forum and took a break. Was in California too for 2 weeks and got home on Monday. So there's been a few reasons to do with my absence.

 

The family are doing great but the wee man is struggling to get back into his routine after Cali.