KIERAN TIERNEY is among five Celtic players who have been left out of Alex McLeish’s 24-man Scotland squad for the two-game summer tour.
The international boss had a couple of chats with Brendan Rodgers about the availability of some of the champions’ squad for the trip to Peru and Mexico.
McLeish has rested Tierney along with Hoops team-mates Craig Gordon, Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.
The Scots boss said: “We took every individual on their own merits. It wasn’t a case of doing anybody any favours, it was more about what we felt about the future, as well. I have seen in the past young players suffer burn-out later on in their careers.
“The fact that the Celtic boys have played a lot of football over the last two years and never miss training sessions. So, there is a fantastic input from them.
“Ultimately, it’s gong to benefit the national team, that’s why I have made some concessions.”
McLeish, however, has bought in new Celtic Bhoy James Morgan, who was loaned back to St Mirren to complete the season following his £300,000 transfer in January.
He will be joined in the pool by new Parkhead team-mates Stuart Armstrong, Jack Hendry and Ryan Christie, who has returned after his season at Aberdeen.
Morgan is one of three uncapped players to be included along with Hearts defender John Souttar and Hibs full-back Lewis Stevenson.
The former Paisley attacker has scored 19 goals this season as he helped the Saints to the Championship title.
McLeish added: “He is dynamic, left-footed and right-footed and we have to encourage boys like this.
“We have been lamenting the fact over the last few years that we don’t have enough talent coming out of the country, so this is when we have to start getting on to the encouragement side of things.”
The Scots will play Peru in Lima on May 29 and Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on June 2.
Read more from Celtic Quick News …
- ‘CELTS DESERVE A BREAK,’ RODGERS
- ‘CELTIC HAVE HAD IT THEIR OWN WAY FOR FAR TOO LONG,’ WARNS GERRARD
- ‘I WANT MORE MEDALS,’ FORREST
- CIFTCI’S WARNING TO HOOPS
- ‘DELIGHTED’ AJER AGREES 4-YEAR DEAL
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