McCormack ‘gutted’ at Scotland omission

Former United skipper Strachan has named a 28-man squad for Scotland’s World Cup Qualifier in Croatia on June 7, but there was no place for McCormack despite his decent form towards the end of the season just finished.

McCormack said he was “gutted” on hearing the news, but added: “I’m sure what I do next year for Leeds will have me back in there.”

So far McCormack has won eight caps for his country, scoring two goals, but was robbed of his most recent appearances in the Scotland squad due to injury.

Celtic’s 19-year-old striker Tony Watt has been preferred to him in the latest squad and is one of four forwards called up by Strachan along with Wolves’ Leigh Griffiths, who is currently on loan at Hibernian, Blackburn Rovers’ Jordan Rhodes and Wigan’s Shaun Maloney.

Leeds manager Brian McDermott was surprised at his player’s omission.

He said: “Going by how he played in the last few games of the season and the games I had as manager, I thought he’d have been involved.

“He’ll be disappointed, understandably, but it does mean that he can have a proper rest and come back fit and fresh for us. I’m surprised though.”

Four other United stars will be extending their season into the summer, however, after receiving international call-ups.

Sam Byram has been called-up for the England under 20s and fellow defender Tom Lees is in the England under-21 squad set for European Championship action next month.

Paul Green, meanwhile, is part of the provisional group named by the Republic of Ireland for three friendlies and one World Cup qualifier in the next month and could play against England.

And Rodolph Austin has again been included by Jamaica for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mexico, the USA and Honduras.