Steve Clarke reveals conversation with Sheffield Wednesday striker Callum Paterson over shock Scotland squad omission

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has spoken to Sheffield Wednesday striker Callum Paterson about his decision to leave him out of his squad just months before the nation’s first major tournament in 23 years.
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The Scots take on Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands in a trio of vital World Cup qualifiers later this month. Owls full-back Liam Palmer has been selected.

Among the strikers selected ahead of Paterson are uncapped pair Kevin Nisbet who has scored 12 Scottish Premier League goals for Hibs this season, and Leicester-born Southampton striker Che Adams, who is in a hot run of form having scored three goals in his last three matches.

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With no friendly matches yet scheduled by Scotland ahead of the Euros, it is feared Wednesday top scorer Paterson may be running out of time to battle his way back into the side.

Callum Paterson is a shock omission from Scotland's latest squad.Callum Paterson is a shock omission from Scotland's latest squad.
Callum Paterson is a shock omission from Scotland's latest squad.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Clarke explained his decision to bring the untried pair in and confirmed that he had spoken to Paterson and others about their omissions.

“It’s an area where we don’t particularly excel, scoring goals,” Clarke said. “If you look at the last few games we haven’t scored many goals and I should mention that I’ve got the last three goalscorers in Fraser, Christie and Dykes. Hopefully Kevin can give us something a little bit different as well.

“I’ve spoken to all the boys that were in the last squad and aren’t in this squad, we’ve had good private conversations and they know what to expect and what to do to try to get back into the squad.”

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On Adams’ selection he said: “It actually happened very late. Che is someone we’ve tried to get before when Alex McLeish was manager I believe, four years ago now so he was a young man at the time.

“He’s matured a little bit now, played a little bit more, has got his move to the Premier League and has done very well.

“At the start of last week I got a little tip-off that he might be interested in choosing Scotland as his international country and after a couple of conversations with him he’s come down on our side. I’m looking forward to working with him and hopefully he can add goals to the squad.”

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