McInnes 'disappointed but not surprised' by Scotland snub
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes is "disappointed" but "not surprised" none of his players were called up by Scotland for this month's friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast. Striker Lawrence Shankland has only just returned to fitness while fellow squad regular, goalkeeper Craig Gordon, is sidelined with a shoulder issue. Scotland boss Steve Clarke also omitted Harry Milne and Craig Halkett, who were tipped for inclusion after shining in the Premiership leaders' defence this season.
McInnes said: "Surprised, probably not. Disappointed, yeah, absolutely. "I think we've been a really strong team this season and there's been key players within it.
"My opinion doesn't matter, I don't really like people telling me what players to pick in my team and the only opinion that matters is Steve but it doesn't mean to say I think he's right with it. "I do think I've got players that have earned the opportunity to be part of an international set-up but hopefully the lads' motivation keeps going, they keep doing well and hopefully in time that they get there, that's the hope. "I speak to the lads regularly about it and I do believe that we have got players who could represent the country, there's no question of that to me.
"While there's disappointment that they're not in this squad, you all know how things can change and whether it's through injury or whatever it will be, players get opportunity. "There's enough motivation for them to get on with here but if there's any added motivation to try and be part of a World Cup squad then of course it can only help. " When asked about the omission of Hearts players earlier this week, Clarke said the Tynecastle team is "maybe better the sum of the parts".
On those comments, McInnes said: "Yeah, I understood the context of that. "Like I say, Steve's opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to picking the Scotland squad and I understand what he's saying with that but it doesn't mean to say that I agree that some of my players shouldn't be in the squad. "