First of I want to put it out there that I like Strachan as Scotland manager. He's passionate, he's positive and he says the right things.

However it dismays me that he can continue to overlook Graeme Shinnie when he's clearly been the best Scottish left back in the country this season. We're in the middle of 2 friendlies which are perfect for trying out new players in the squad. Yet he hasn't even been mooted, despite some excellent performances, especially in recent weeks. Yet a player who hasn't played Scottish top flight football for a year and a half gets in every time simply because of who he plays for. (Note- Lee Wallace is playing well from what I've heard. But he should be able to coast it against plumbers, chippies and sparky's anyway).

It's even worse now that Mulgrew is out and Hanley is very doubtful for the Norway game. This probably means a full back like Whittaker or Martin partnering Greer.
Shinnie has even shown this season that he's very apt on the opposite side and the way he talks about it shows he has a class attitude "It's just like playing left back only on your weaker foot" (said in a very nonchalant manner).

He plays for the team 2nd in Scotland. He's been ever present and good all season. He keeps improving.


is it just me or if he was playing for Hibs, Hearts, Dundee Utd and yet in the league positions they are in now, he'd have more chance of a look in?

A change is as good as a rest.

Not only is Shinnie deserving of a call up for Scotland but so is Doran for the Republic of Ireland.  Now wouldn't it be something if the 2 of them were up against each other in the Euro qualifiers?

IMO the only reason Shinnie isn't getting a call up it because of that Gordon Strachan. Shinnie is well worthy of a call up, Gordon doesn't know what he's missing out on. I've been saying it for a while now. I think all Graeme can do is keep playing his best.

Well Jordan Rhodes can't get near the squad for love nor money despite playing at a vastly higher level than Leigh Griffiths. Yes the wee ned was handed a hat-trick on a plate at the weekend but scoring at SPFL level is no where near as hard as the Championship. 

I feel reviving this thread is necessary with the latest news on the Scotland Squad. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29989566

I'm baffled. A full back pulls out and a player playing in the 2nd tier of Scottish football is drafted into the squad. I still solidly believe Shinnie deserves a call up and every time I see him over looked I'm astounded. This time though, it's really beyond me.

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by Dale94

It's amazed me for a while now! I absolutely think Shinnie should be given a shot! Typical 'big team' bias.

While on that topic, I was listening to BBC World Service on Saturday night, and their 'Scottish football' headline was, 'Hamilton Academical miss the chance to go top'!

Never mind who has (at the time) gone top - central belt club could have gone top - but didn't - that's the headline. Utterly depressing journalism.

Independence for the Highlands that's what I say.       

It also infuriates me that Roy Hodgson gives Chris Smalling the nod ahead of Gary Warren.

It's not as if international defenders have to be perfect all the time.  Here's a German defender who faced Scotland recently:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29985141

Phil Bardsley pulls out of Scotland squad due to injury so does Shinnie get the call to replace him? No!! Instead we'll go for another young inexperienced lower league player. Calum Patterson of Hearts

Phil Bardsley pulls out of Scotland squad due to injury so does Shinnie get the call to replace him? No!! Instead we'll go for another young inexperienced lower league player. Calum Patterson of Hearts

To be fair Alex, Callum Paterson plays right back and so does Bardlsey so seems a straightforward swap. - I wouldn't go anywhere near Ricky Foster at Rangers. I was at the Hearts vs Dumbarton game last month and Paterson was superb throughout.

What baffles me more, how does Steven Whittaker get ahead of Graeme? Andrew Robertson deservedly number 1 with Graeme number 2 would be my choice and that's not through ICT tinted glasses.

How Shinnie's not in the squad beats me. And that's not a biased point of view! I've been calling for his inclusion for a while, and a lower league player being called-up ahead of Graeme baffles me.

However, I'm giving Strachan the benefit of the doubt here. He's doing a good job with the national team, and if he's getting the right players into his system then, as long as it's successful, I won't complain !

 

Phil Bardsley pulls out of Scotland squad due to injury so does Shinnie get the call to replace him? No!! Instead we'll go for another young inexperienced lower league player. Calum Patterson of Hearts

To be fair Alex, Callum Paterson plays right back and so does Bardlsey so seems a straightforward swap. - I wouldn't go anywhere near Ricky Foster at Rangers. I was at the Hearts vs Dumbarton game last month and Paterson was superb throughout.

What baffles me more, how does Steven Whittaker get ahead of Graeme? Andrew Robertson deservedly number 1 with Graeme number 2 would be my choice and that's not through ICT tinted glasses.

 

Bardsley when called upon will play either right or left back. Shinnie also can do a job either side as we know. I also agree with your point on Whittaker. I genuinely don't think I've seen him have a good game in a Scotland shirt!

 

However, I'm giving Strachan the benefit of the doubt here. He's doing a good job with the national team,

......and he wants Rangers, Herarts and Hibs all to be "manipulated" back into the Premiership.

Mulgrew, Whittaker and Wallace are better left backs. Shinnie is still young though and if he continues in the way he is going I have no doubt he'll get his chance.

I have to disagree. Mulgrew is not an international left back, or central defender, Wallace is playing in a lower league and Whittaker has had some suspect displays at left back. Shinnie deserves to be in the squad, not calling on him to start but should be part of the squad.

He, Strachan that is, likes to keep in with the ' Big Boys ' always has and always will do.

 

I wont be at all surprised if he gets his way and the Premier league is extended to incorporate these 'big boys' for next season.

 

Merit, scruples what are they ??

Whittaker is probably a bit better, as is Robertson. Wallace and Mulgrew definitely aren't. Shinnie will get his chance soon enough, Whittaker is pretty prone to mistakes and fans get on his back quite quickly compared to other like Robertson, who whatever he does they adore him anyway. There will be calls for Shinnie to be included pretty soon IMO

When Graeme leaves he'll get in the squad. Sad but true

When Graeme leaves he'll get in the squad. Sad but true

Which, sadly, is one reason why he will go.

If it was up to me the left side of the field would be

 

Lb - shinnie

 

Lm - gary mackay-steven

 

Lf - anya

 

(4,3,3)

 

But that is never going to happen since there are 2 spfl players and neither of them are called scott brown...

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by Ayeseetee

Charles --MAYBE YOU'VE HIT THE NAIL UP[ON THE HEAD!

Strachan showed he is absolutely prejudiced towards certain clubs when he suggested manipulation to get Hearts, Hibs and Rangers back into the big league.

If you look Strachan's signings when he was Middlesbrough boss it says it all.

Maybe Shinnie will just need to do what others have done.................scrutinise his birth lineage.

Maybe Shinnie will just need to do what others have done.................scrutinise his birth lineage.

 

On first reading I thought  that would be a crying shame, but why not? It's hardly like a McCarthy defecting at 15/16 because he hasn't been called up by Scotland yet.

 

Think Shinnie can make squad with us. We just need either friendly or B team game in Sneck/end of season award for performance in SPFL - player of the year should about do it.

 

But given his versatility and the fact he must be a good guy to have around the team (Captain of ICT at what age?!) then why not. Whittaker's nothing great.