Sevco withdraw Middleton from Scotland duty as they step up SFA row

Sevco have escalated their row with the SFA by withdrawing Glenn Middleton from the Scotland u-19 side to face San Marino today and Sweden on Tuesday.

The winger has been an important part of Billy Stark’s squad- playing against Wales on Wednesday- but has now been pulled out on instructions from Ibrox.

Sevco aren’t in action until next Saturday when they host Livingston but after squaring upto the SFA over Willie Collum the Ibrox club want to throw their weight around.

The SFA refused a request from Falkirk to release Zak Rudden for today’s match with Partick Thistle but aren’t prepared to stand up to Sevco a week ahead of their next match.

Middleton has been part of the current u-19 set up for a number of years after coming to the attention of the Scotland scouting network while playing for Norwich.

His influence shouldn’t be missed today against San Marino but Tuesday’s game against Sweden is shaping as the group decider with only the group winner assured of going forward to the final qualification stage.

San Marino lost their opening match 2-1 to Sweden.