ALEX McLeish has called on FIFA to change their rules after the Scotland end-of-season tour of Peru and Mexico was hit by a raft of call-offs.
McLeish will have to field significantly understrength sides in the friendlies in the National Stadium in Lima on Tuesday and Azteca Stadium in Mexico City a week today.
He has omitted several Celtic players like Craig Gordon, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney as well as English-based internationalists like James McArthur at the request of their clubs.
However, their hosts, who are both using the games as preparation for the Russia 2018 finals, will be able to put out their strongest teams, leaving their opponents at a definite disadvantage.
McLeish has no intention of falling out with clubs by forcing their players to travel, but he believes there should be a level playing field for both sides and has urged world football’s governing body to revise their rules.
“I would question FIFA with this,” he said. "If every game is bona fide for teams going to the World Cup why is it not the same for the warm-up acts? We are essentially the warm-up acts. Why can’t you actually enforce a call up?
“But I want a relationship with the clubs – I don’t want to go down the road where we don’t have a decent level of communication.
“I spoke to Johnny Russell’s gaffer (at MLS club Sporting Kansas City) and he was absolutely tremendous. I feel there is a brilliant relationship on going there
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“We have Johnny will miss the first game but he will come and play in the second game. Johnny is desperate to play for Scotland. I think all the lads are.
“But the fact this FIFA rule does not count for teams not going to the World Cup, then I think that has to be looked at.”
McLeish added: “I remain positive. My cup is always half full. We have the best players available to us since the calls offs and I want these guys to go and embrace this trip.
“It is a once in a lifetime experience and it is for me as well, even at the age of 59. I have done the whole world before but I still love it, you have to love it. That’s what they have to do.”
McLeish, who has drafted in Scott Bain of Celtic, Chris Cadden of Motherwell, Stephen O’Donnell of Kilmarnock, Lewis Stevenson of Hibernian and , believes the players who have travelled here to South America have increased their chances of being involved when the inaugural UEFA Nations League gets underway in September.
“At that particular stage of the season, players will be buzzing,” he said. “They have just had their pre-season and first few games and they should be at a great level.
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“But there is a big, big opportunity for guys who come on this trip. I am delighted with the form of these guys through the season we have just had.
“I want these guys to shine. Hopefully everyone will see this as a massive opportunity to play for Scotland and as a reward for their great season and can they take it to the next level. This is a piece of their life they will not ever forget.
“I look back at my own career. I am so privileged to have played for Scotland. Even one cap would have done me. But to play so many times and manage and then manage again, I am so privileged and so enthusiastic about the guys coming out here.
“Let’s be positive. We are going out here and we probably won’t be able to go all out attack a la Barcelona which is what everyone wants to see in the modern day game. We will be organised and we know we will be facing two very tough teams. We have to perform almost a giant-killing act.”
McLeish is confident the Tartan Army will appreciate the difficulties which he has encountered putting together a team to play in these two matches against Peru and Mexico and will be understanding if they suffer defeats.
“Scottish fans are not stupid,” he said. “Scottish fans have out up with 22 years of missing out on a tournament – there are a couple of generations who have missed out there.
“But of course the Tartan Army are very fair. Obviously you will get a few trolls, that’s the modern day with the old internet. But what you can’t control you must ignore and you should not worry about it.”
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