Aberdeen midfielders Kenny McLean and Ryan Christie will both start for Scotland against the Netherlands at Pittodrie
But interim manager Malky Mackay has hit back at suggestions that the Dons players in his squad were there to help sell tickets.
The suggestion was made by Kilmarnock forward Kris Boyd, the 18-times capped international, who said the inclusion of Aberdeen players Graeme Shinnie, McLean and Christie had made Scotland “a laughing stock”.Boyd was also critical of the inclusion of former Dons captain Ryan Jack, now with Rangers, saying the 25-year-old has had “more red cards than good games” for the Ibrox side.
But Mackay, speaking at Pittodrie last night, branded the comments from Boyd as disrespectful.
He said: “Well, 10 days ago when we announced the squad, most of what came back to me was that it was a fresh squad. People were upbeat about it, also the fact there were players in it playing at a good level.
“Also, Scottish players playing here at a good level were being given a chance.
“There’s always going to be somebody who’s going to want to make the opposite opinion.
“Like everything, what I’d say is when we’re talking about the Aberdeen players and selling tickets, two of the three are going to start the game.
“Anyone who knows me is aware I’m never going to put a team out on the pitch to sell tickets.
“So, the actual players going out there are desperate to play, they desperately want to play for their country and they desperately want to win the game.
“We want to win the game.
“They are all playing at a good level, they are all professional footballers, they deserve that respect.
“They are playing at the top of Scottish football for their clubs on a regular basis.
“They deserve that respect.
“Players get criticised every week, media, social media, whatever it may be.
“The players who trained this week have been terrific, with some guys coming back to their home city. How good is that?
“So, absolutely not, I don’t see them being affected. It’s water off a duck’s back.
“I’ve not felt the need to speak to them.
“It’s part of the whole thing.”
A healthy turnout is expected from supporters and Mackay hopes the fans will leave Pittodrie this evening encouraged for the future.
He added: “I want people to leave thinking that we have some young players they are excited to see again, that they can see talent, and they can see why they have been picked for Scotland.
“That they can see going into the next game in March and beyond there is a framework of boys who can go and play a long time for Scotland and kick us on into the next campaign.”
