Former Scotland manager Craig Brown felt Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine had made a strong case to be included in the national team’s crucial Euro 2020 play-offs.
Steve Clarke’s squad should have been preparing to face Israel at Hampden in the semi-finals of the play-offs tomorrow night.
The winners would have gone on to face Norway or Serbia with a place at this summer’s European Championships at stake.
The coronavirus crisis has resulted in Euro 2020 being postponed until next summer and the play-offs have moved until early June, although Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell admits it is unlikely the tie will be played then.
It is a blow for Dons defender Considine who was in contention to make the squad following injuries to his team-mate Scott McKenna and Hearts’ John Souttar.
Brown, pictured, feels Considine would have been an able deputy if he had been included in Clarke’s squad.
He said: “I was hoping Andy would be selected.
“I only had one full season as manager of Aberdeen and in that full season Andy was the player of the year.
“If you are looking for anybody who really rates Andy Considine, I do.
“It is a major disappointment the play-offs have been postponed but an understandable decision.
“I was really optimistic about Scotland’s chances for the play-offs.
“We looked good in terms of beating Israel in the semi-final.
“It may be a bit rash to say it but I thought beating Israel was almost a certainty.
“I had serious concerns about the next game away in Norway or Serbia.
“That was going to be very difficult as they are both very competitive countries.
“An away fixture in either of these places was going to give us a headache.
“I still think this is a good way for us to get into a major tournament again.”
Brown remains the last Scotland boss to have guided the men’s team to a major tournament when he led them to the World Cup in France in 1998.
But the 79-year-old says there would be no one happier than him if Clarke can end the wait in the play-offs, whenever they take place.
He said: “I am the luckiest man in Scotland because, as a member of the coaching staff, I was at five major tournaments – three World Cups and two European Championships.
“I know the feeling in the country is totally different when they are going to a major tournament.
“I heard a wonderful lecture from Geoff Cooke, an England Rugby coach and manager of the (1993) British Lions team about 20 years ago that I will never forget.
“He said you can spend all you like on player development and resourceful schemes, such as Project Brave.
“But if the national team does well you can save your money as everyone develops an interest.
“The kids want to play football, go on courses and buy replica strips.
“The whole thing is transformed when the national team is doing well.
“We have seen that recently with the success that the Scotland women’s team have enjoyed.”