The former Rangers striker believes Sheffield United’s Paul Coutts and Fulham’s Kevin McDonald are more deserving of a place than Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean and Ibrox man Ryan Jack.
Kris Boyd has told BBC Scotland that a pair of past and present Sheffield United midfielders should have made Malky Mackay’s squad ahead of Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack of Rangers.
Scotland play the Netherlands in Mackay’s first game as temporary manager on Thursday, which is being played at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie stadium.
And Boyd said: “[Calling up McLean, a reported Rangers target, and Jack, who left Aberdeen for Ibrox in July] is for the SFA and Malky to appease the fans and media who didn’t like Gordon [Strachan, the previous Scotland manager] and then there’s the key thing – to sell tickets. That’s why they’re all in the squad.”
When asked who he would have called up instead of McLean and Jack, the Kilmarnock striker replied: “When you go down the road, Paul Coutts, Sheffield United, flying. Kevin McDonald has come back to form for Fulham, captain, flying.”
Coutts has helped Sheffield United to second in the Championship in their first season back at that level, forming an impressive partnership with another player eligible for Scotland, John Fleck, along the way.
And Boyd’s failure to mention Fleck is somewhat surprising, given the 34-year-old played alongside him for three seasons at Rangers.
McDonald, who played for Sheffield United between 2011 and 2013 and is said to have been courted by Rangers before Jack’s signing, starred in Fulham’s run to the Championship play-offs last season.
The Cottagers appear to be suffering from a hangover, however, and sit 17th in the standings.
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