Levein: I've got eight players ahead of Commons
Commons has been Celtic’s best player so far this season with his goal against Helsingborgs on Wednesday giving the club a great chance of reaching the group stage of the Champions League.
Rather than watch Commons, Charlie Mulgrew and Scott Brown in action in Sweden Levein opted to go to a Ramsdens Cup tie.
Since replacing George Burley Levein has had a mediocre record as Scotland boss with his only competitive wins coming against Liechtenstein and Lithuania with his reign punctuated by handing out caps to journeymen such as Gary Kenneth, Danny Wilson and Ian Black.
Asked about the chances of Commons being in the squad for the opening World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia Levein decided to reel off a list of players ahead of the Celtic man for a place.
Levein said: “I sent an email to my coaches at the end of the last gathering and asked them to pick their 24 players and there’s absolutely no doubt Kris has hit a bit of form.
“We discussed the situation and I’ve got James Forrest, Matty Phillips, Robert Snodgrass, Steven Naismith, Shaun Maloney, James Morrison, Jamie Mackie and Barry Robson.
“These guys have been with me game in, game out. My allegiance is probably with those guys before anyone else.
“They’ve done well for Scotland and gone out and proved they’re capable of doing the job and shown great loyalty and turn up for games.
“I’m not in any way saying Kris won’t be involved, but of all the positions in the team I’d say that was our strongest area.
“I’m looking at two wide positions and I’ve named all these players who are more than capable and that’s before I even get to Kris. That for me is hugely positive. I can’t guarantee Kris a place.
“I could name five or six players before I get to Kris but he’s had a good start to the season.
“I think anyone would acknowledge he was poor last season but he’s started the way he was two years ago. I know that.”
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