Tyler Fletcher has been called up into the Scottish national team squad for this summer’s World Cup, and former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has now had his say.
Last weekend, Tyler Fletcher made his Scotland senior debut in a friendly against Curacao in the World Cup warm-up match, earning rave reviews for his efforts.
Steve Clarke was so impressed with Fletcher that he included him on the plane to head to North America for the World Cup.
Fletcher’s place on the plane comes after Billy Gilmour picked up an injury in the friendly, leading to an incredible chance for United’s U21 player of the season to shine on the world stage.
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Gordon Strachan’s reaction to Tyler Fletcher getting a Scotland World Cup spot
Fletcher is a shock inclusion for Scotland, considering his lack of first-team football for United. But he proved in the friendly that he is good enough to contribute.
But Gordon Strachan is still confused by the decision.
Speaking on The Sun’s World Cup preview on YouTube, Gordon Strachan admitted he finds it strange that Fletcher got the call.
“You’ve just lost Billy Gilmour, they’ve brought in Tyler Fletcher, he has no real experience at all”, Shaun Custis put to Strachan.
“I find that strange,” Strachan responded.
Custis then asked, “There’s another kid, Lennon Miller, in Italy… He’s been playing, but he didn’t get picked.”
“Yeah, but nobody has seen him, nobody knows what he’s done. He’s not come to our attention, put it that way”, Strachan replied.
“So you have Tyler Fletcher in instead of Billy Gilmour, I think he’s played 17 minutes for Man United”, the Sun reporter then added.
Strachan then added, “That goes back to what Harry (Redknapp) was saying, people getting into internationals, you had to be at the top of the game.
“I think there are other players out there who are doing decent jobs in the Scottish Premier League in midfield who deserve to get a shot.”
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Strachan isn’t well placed to judge Steve Clarke’s decisions
Clarke has already explained that Fletcher’s inclusion on the plane was the best option to replace Gilmour due to his already being in the camp.
Yet Strachan felt the need to voice negative opinions on a 19-year-old heading to the World Cup.
Despite being a big name in Scottish football, Strachan ultimately failed to guide Scotland to any tournaments.
Since Strachan left, Clarke has qualified for three tournaments from a possible four, rewriting the footballing history of Scotland.
So Clarke’s decision to include Fletcher should not be questioned. Hopefully, Fletcher gets his chance to silence any doubters.
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