Kieran Tierney is out of the Scotland squad to face Albania tomorrow night.
Rather than spend the next few days working on becoming a right-back or centre half under Alex McLeish the Celtic defender can enjoy a mini-break ahead of a crucial period for Celtic that includes a vital SPFL match at Hamilton, a Europa League match away to Rosenborg and a cup final against Aberdeen.
SPFL teams have been booting lumps out of KT this season with next to no protection from referees with a leg injury reported as the reason for his Scotland call off.
Under Gordon Strachan, Craig Gordon, Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths and Tierney were automatic picks in the Scotland side but all four will watch tomorrow’s match at home on television.
McLeish had been out of UK management for five years before surprisingly landing the Scotland job after Michael O’Neill and Walter Smith turned down the SFA.
After his outspoken criticism of Griffiths questions have been asked about the former Rangers (IL) manager’s suitability for the job with results taking a downturn under ‘Big Eck.’
Five defeats and two wins since taking over has saw the Tartan Army dessert in droves with only 25,000 fans expected for Tuesday’s Hampden clash with Israel.