Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says squad getting stronger

Gordon Strachan says the calibre of player he now has at his disposal makes it increasingly difficult to keep his numbers down ahead of an international break.

The Scotland boss has selected a 26-man party for the friendly against Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Sunday's European Qualifier against Gibraltar, both at Hampden Park.

But the former Celtic manager claims he could have selected 40 players for the double-header such as the talent available to him as national coach.

It's not really me that picks the squad. The players pick themselves

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "There's probably 12, 13 or 14 boys who might feel a bit aggrieved that they are not in the squad.

"But it's not really me that picks the squad. The players pick themselves - if they've been good enough, done everything right and what we've asked of them, then they get picked."

Scotland sit third in Group D, level on points with Germany and the Republic of Ireland and three points adrift of leaders Poland.

And, after a draw in Poland and a win over Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland side in their last two European Qualifiers, Strachan insists the current tactics are suiting his players - and that is the most important factor in squad selection.

"Those 14 players left out might think with a different manager, they might be in, or with a different style, they might be in," he said. "But I've just got to pick the style that suits this group of players.

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"It doesn't mean that if a player is out of the side, that they're playing badly. It might be for tactical reasons, or there is somebody in their position who is playing fantastically well."

Fulham striker Ross McCormack withdrew from Strachan's squad for the matches because of a knee injury.