Skip to content

Rangers skipper Lee Wallace back in Scotland squad for World Cup double header

15/11/13 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY.SCOTLAND v USA.HAMPDEN - GLASGOW.Lee Wallace in action for Scotland
Image: Lee Wallace back in Scotland squad after sitting out trip to Malta

Lee Wallace and Kieran Tierney return to the Scotland squad for next month's World Cup double-header after missing the opening match of the campaign against Malta.

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

Rangers captain Wallace sat out the 5-1 victory at the Ta'Qali National Stadium earlier this month due to a muscle strain while a leg knock prevented Celtic full-back Tierney adding to his solitary cap.

Hull City forward Shaun Maloney, who was left out of the trip to the Mediterranean island by national coach Gordon Strachan, is recalled to the party for the qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia.

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal of the match
Image: Leigh Griffiths back among the goals and back in Scotland squad for World Cup double-header

And Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, who returned to goalscoring action against Kilmarnock last weekend following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, is back in a squad which includes team-mates Tierney, Craig Gordon and James Forrest.

Scotland, who top Group F on goal difference from England, take on Lithuania at Hampden on October 8 before travelling to Trnava to face Slovakia three days later.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Group F as Scotland beat Malta 5-1 in the European Qualifiers for the FIFA 2018 World Cup

England are next up for Scotland after their October double-header but Strachan refused to be drawn on Sam Allardyce's departure on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to the assembled media at Hampden Park he said: "I'm here to talk about Lithuania and Slovakia. That is the only thing I can deal with.

Also See:

28/09/16  .  HAMPDEN PARK - GLASGOW  .  Scotland manager Gordon Strachan speaks to the media
Image: Scotland boss Gordon Strachan refused to be drawn on Sam Allardyce departure

"I'm sure there are sports outlets all round Britain just now and that is where you can follow that story. I really don't think anyone is interested in my answer... if indeed I do have an answer." 

Reflecting on Maloney's inclusion, he added: "Shaun has been used as a substitute quite a lot with Hull and played a game last week against Stoke, a terrific game. So he is back in again.

McKay came up against the likes of N'Golo Kante in the match versus France
Image: Barrie McKay enjoys 'excellent partnership' with Wallace according to Strachan

"He has professionalism, ability, intellect, willingness to play for Scotland. So he's got all these traits that we want along here.

"And we still have some of the younger lads in the squad as well. If they are good enough we'll stick them in, we will bypass the U19s and 21s which we did with Ollie (Burke)."

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

Wallace was both a late call-up and withdrawal ahead of the Malta game and Strachan has found an extra place in his squad for the 29-year-old alongside his Rangers team-mate Barrie McKay.

"First of all, we've got to look at the two games and what we want to try and do," he said. "The partnership between him and Barrie over the last 18 months has been terrific, cemented by doing the same thing in the Premiership. 

"When he came into the last squad, I knew he was a right good kid, but he was good about the place even though he was injured. He gave up time with his family to be there. I like that, so back in again. He gives us height, strength and a bit of experience as well."

Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV
Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV

Get a NOW TV Weekly Pass for £10.99. No contract.

Scotland squad: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), David Marshall (Hull), Christophe Berra (Ipswich), Gordon Greer (Blackburn), Grant Hanley (Newcastle), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich), Callum Paterson (Hearts), Andrew Robertson (Hull), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Ikechi Anya (Derby), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Oliver Burke (RB Leipzig), Darren Fletcher (West Brom), James Forrest (Celtic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibernian), Barrie Mackay (Rangers), Shaun Maloney (Hull), James Morrison (West Brom), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle), Robert Snodgrass (Hull), Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby), Steven Naismith (Norwich). 

Around Sky