Mark McGhee calls on Scotland players to grab their opportunity against Malta
Thursday 1 September 2016 08:34, UK
Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee believes the loss of four players from the squad for the opening World Cup qualifier in Malta on Sunday serves only to open the door for others to make an impact.
Celtic duo Kieran Tierney and Leigh Griffiths withdrew from the squad on Tuesday along with Fulham's Kevin McDonald and James McArthur of Crystal Palace.
Coach Gordon Strachan has drafted in Rangers captain Lee Wallace and Hearts striker Tony Watt as cover and McGhee has called on them to stake their claim for a run in the side.
Speaking at the team's base on the outskirts of Glasgow, the Motherwell boss said: "We have to make sure this is not a blow as we have other people here who will step up.
"You pick what you think is the best squad for the occasion so clearly losing four immediately is disappointing but we have to ask the others to step up and it gives them the opportunity."
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Griffiths has already scored seven goals this season, helping Celtic to the top of the table and a place in the group stage of the Champions League, and McGhee believes he will be a big loss at the Ta'Qali National Stadium this weekend, live on Sky Sports.
"It is disappointing for Leigh and it is disappointing for us," he added.
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"He started the season in tremendous form and we were excited about that so of course it is disappointing but there are others who will now get an opportunity."
Watt, 22, on loan at Hearts from Charlton, won his only cap as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 friendly win away to Czech Republic in March and McGhee is confident he can step up if called on.
"We have been big fans of Tony since we first saw him," he said. "We brought him in for a training camp in an early squad and he had certain issues at that time.
"I had a couple of conversations with Tony over the summer, quite long conversations and I reported back to Gordon that what I was hearing was responsible, mature, a sort of change.
"It is no surprise to me that he is doing well where he is now and he is at a level now where we can bring him in. He offers something a little bit different and we are delighted to have that type of player in the form he is in now."
