GORDON STRACHAN has named six Celtic players in his World Cup squad for next month’s crucial ties against Slovakia and Slovenia.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, left-back Kieran Tierney, midfielders Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong and James Forrest and striker Leigh Griffiths all got the nod from the international boss.
However, there is still no place for-in form Hoops midfield man Callum McGregor.
Strachan has continued to overlook the claims of the player, despite Brendan Rodgers making him a key man in his Parkhead first team squad.
Out of the squad is former Hoops keeper David Marshall with Millwall’s Jordan Archer getting a call-up.
The London side’s shotstopper is one of only two uncapped players in the pool – Leeds United’s central defender Liam Cooper is the other.
Norwich striker Steven Naismith is also out as he has struggled with injury since the start of the season.
Scotland are due to face Slovakia at Hampden on Thursday, October 5 and Slovenia away three days later.
The full squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Craig Gordon (CELTIC), Jordan Archer (Millwall), Allan McGregor (Hull City);
DEFENDERS: Ikechi Anya (Derby), Christophe Berra (Hearts), Liam Cooper (Leeds), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (CELTIC), Steven Whittaker (Hibs);
MIDFIELDERS: Scott Brown, James Forrest, Stuart Armstrong (all CELTIC), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Fletcher (Stoke City), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibs), James Morrison and Matt Phillips (both West Brom), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle), Robert Snodgrass (West Ham on loan at Aston Villa);
STRIKERS: Leigh Griffiths (CELTIC), Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Chris Martin (Derby).
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The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP13) The Quality Street Gang Part 1
This week, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ pays tribute to The Quality Street Gang.
In the first of a two-part series, Paul John Dykes interviews Billy Murdoch, Bobby Wraith, HughMcKellar and Lou Macari to discuss one of the finest crops of youngsters ever to emerge from Celtic Park.
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