Steve Clarke lauded the commitment of his Scotland stars ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifiers, as he brushed off Ryan Fraser rejecting a call-up to stay at Newcastle United.
Scotland travel to Moldova on Friday evening knowing a win will secure them second-place in Group F. Enough for the Tartan Army to claim a play-off spot for the Qatar tournament.
Clarke had named Fraser in the Scotland squad to face Moldova, and Denmark on Monday, but the Newcastle winger withdrew. The Glasgow Times note he cited a calf injury as the reason behind the decision, but has since trained under new Magpies boss Eddie Howe.
Reports by the Daily Mail also claim some in the Scotland camp feel Fraser withdrew from Clarke’s squad to try and impress Howe at Newcastle. While Clarke will demand answers.
Scotland boss Clarke brushes off Newcastle’s Fraser snub
But Clarke has brushed off Fraser’s snub, and opted to focus on those who accepted their Scotland call-ups when questioned about the Newcastle winger’s situation on Thursday.
“I have a squad of players who want to be here,” Clarke said, via quotes by the Glasgow Times. “They’re all here, so let’s talk about those boys.
“The situation with Ryan will resolve itself in time. Listen, it is what it is. This is not the time to talk about somebody who is not in the squad.
“We have built a really strong squad. I had to persuade Lyndon [Dykes] it was a bad idea to fly to Moldova! He’s not with us just now.
“He’s also had a little virus and had a little knock after his last game. But he phoned us up and said he wanted to fly to Moldova just to watch the game.
“He was prepared to get on a plane for three-hours to watch the team, and then fly back with the team to Edinburgh. But I managed to persuade him that he didn’t need to do that.
“It shows you the level of commitment I have got from the boys in the squad. That’s what we’re building, and I’d rather talk about those people.”
Are Clarke’s comments a dig at Fraser’s commitment?
Clarke’s comments could be taken as a dig at Fraser’s commitment, having trained with Newcastle after withdrawing from Scotland duty.
The feeling in the Tartan Army camp at his decision is reportedly one him wanting to try and impress Howe. A coach Fraser knows well from seven-years together at Bournemouth.
Howe has only utilised six players more often in the Newcastle manager’s career than he has 22-cap Scotland international Fraser. With the winger playing 208 games for the 43-year-old across all competitions, scoring 24 times and assisting 33 goals.
But Fraser has struggled since leaving the Cherries and joining the Toon on a free transfer last year.
The 27-year-old has only scored once and assisted three in 30 games, having frequently struggled with injuries under Steve Bruce.
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