Strachan names Scotland squad

Aberdeen pair Mark Reynolds and Kenny McLean have earned recalls to the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against England.

The uncapped Jamie Murphy is also back in Gordon Strachan's group after helping Brighton win promotion to the Premier League.

There is no space for Callum McGregor, however, despite the in-form Celtic midfielder being tipped for a call-up for the Hampden clash on June 10.

Swansea left-back Stephen Kingsley is also in after Lee Wallace was ruled out following stomach surgery, while West Brom winger Matt Phillips and Newcastle pair Grant Hanley and Matt Ritchie drop out after ending the season on the sidelines through injury.

RB Leipzig winger Oliver Burke misses out because of a lack of match action in Germany.

McLean, whose sole Scotland cap came in a friendly against the Czech Republic last year, had a strong finish to the campaign and Strachan was impressed by the 25-year-old during Aberdeen's recent 3-1 defeat by Celtic.

The Scotland manager said: I've seen Kenny recently in a wonderful game, the Aberdeen-Celtic match, the best 45 minutes of football I have seen this season. And the 90 minutes were terrific. And throughout that Kenny had an excellent game.

And the results at Aberdeen have been fantastic. They have had a good, strong finish to the season.''

Former Motherwell winger Murphy has previously had one late call-up and his achievements with Brighton helped him earn a recall.`

`We thought about that the last game, people who were feeling good about themselves,'' said Strachan, whose side kept their qualification hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Slovenia in March. They bring that positivity to the squad.''

On McGregor's exclusion, Strachan added: I think everyone knows that's where we are strong, and that's where you need to be strong these days.

There is a lot of other midfield players that I have seen recently that you would think, if it wasn't so strong, they would be in the squad as well. Kevin McDonald at Fulham has had an excellent season. A lot of lads in that area are just unfortunate we are very, very strong in that area, which showed in the last game against Slovenia, we were strong and full of enthusiasm and know-how in there.''

Burke is set to be drafted into the Scotland Under-20s squad for the Toulon Tournament after an injury to Kilmarnock winger Greg Kiltie, instead of getting the chance to add to his five caps.

Strachan said: Oliver started the last game of the season, his first game for a long, long time.

I think, maybe unfairly, our expectation of Oliver, myself included, might be too much to ask Oliver to produce the things we think he can produce with a lack of games behind him.

Because of the price tag, and he never put the #13million, we are all expecting. But #13million is not big in today's market to be honest with you. There are people in the Championship going for #11million and not getting games.

So I thought the expectation on him, even when he's got to come on as sub, is a bit much to ask someone who has only played about 23 starts in his whole career.

We feel the Toulon Tournament will be better for him, to get three games in a short period of time, so he can breathe and enjoy himself without too much pressure. Whereas every time he steps on the pitch here and every time anyone speaks, there is a lot of pressure on him. I don't think that's fair on Oliver.

Oliver is going to be a top, top player. All he needs now is games and we let Leipzig get on with that to judge when he gets games.''

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