Leeds star’s call-up snub ‘unlucky’

Ex-United captain Strachan found no place for McCormack in his 25-man squad for the forthcoming clashes with the United States and Norway, despite managing to pick nine Championship players.

The Scots welcome Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA to Hampden Park on November 15 before a trip to Molde four days later.

But McCormack, who took his tally for the season to goals with a brace in the 2-0 weekend success over Yeovil at Elland Road, is not part of his plans for the dual encounters.

Strachan said: “There’s a few guys I have thought about (calling up) and a few decent guys (not picked) like Ross McCormack, who is maybe unlucky after scoring two goals in the Championship with Leeds at the weekend. He will feel a bit unlucky.

“There is a lot of people who will feel disappointed. But a lot of people we are watching.

“I spoke to players and said: ‘Listen, I know what you can do; it’s been noted, we appreciate that.’ But it’s a good chance for me now to have a look at one or two other players. If these players we bring in are even better than the players we have left out, that will be a bonus.

But they will have to do well.”

The news of McCormack’s shock omission comes just under two-and-a-half months after he was handed a recall to the Scotland for the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Macedonia in early September.

McCormack’s previous appearance in a national squad came in February, only for the striker to be forced to pull out of Strachan’s first international selection for a game against Estonia at Pittodrie in February with illness.

McCormack was a late replacement in the game against Belgium in Glasgow on September 6 and an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory against Macedonia in Skopje four nights later.

The Whites forward, capped nine times by his country, also made the match-day squad for Scotland’s fine 2-0 victory over Croatia to end their disappointing qualification programme on a rare high note, but was again kept on the bench.

Strachan has elected to pick just four strikers for the friendly double-header, including fit-again Sunderland targetman Steven Fletcher and Blackburn Rovers marksman Jordan Rhodes.

There is also no place for Hull City’s George Boyd and Wolves’ forward Leigh Griffiths.

Meanwhile, United’s home clash with Leicester City on January 18 has been brought forward a few hours and will now be screened live on Sky Sports with a 12.15pm kick-off.

The fixture follows the recent switch of kick-off time for the White Rose derby at Sheffield Wednesday on January 11, which will also start at 12.15pm.

That game was also be screened live on Sky.

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