STEVE CLARKE has admitted he's "disappointed" not to be able to call-up any Celtic players for Scotland's friendly against Turkey.
The national team boss was unable to select Celtic players with the club refusing to send players on international duty for friendlies during the World Cup break.
Celtic stars selected for the World Cup will be allowed to leave to compete in Qatar but there is no obligation for players to be released for friendlies.
Ange Postecoglou confirmed yesterday that Celtic players not at the World Cup will head to Australia during the break for the Sydney Super Cup.
It means Clarke could not call up David Turnbull, Greg Taylor or Anthony Ralston for the Turkey friendly - with Callum McGregor out injured.
Similarly, Carl Starfelt will not join Sweden for a friendly match during the break - which is not an official international window.
Bemoaning the decision, Clarke said: “The base-line is that it’s not an official international window.
“I don’t know why because there’s a World Cup window going on. That sounds pretty official to me.
“The clubs don’t have to release their players and Celtic have chosen not to release their players for this game.
"I’m disappointed with that decision but we have to take it on the chin.”
Clarke then revealed he's had no communication with anyone at Celtic on the international decision.
He added: “It was just a blanket decision. Celtic have said none of their players are available for any international games for all the countries affected.
“The biggest issue for me is that it’s not a recognised FIFA international window.
"I can’t get my head round that one. It’s disappointing but we’ll deal with it.”
On the decision, Postecoglou explained: “The international games coming up in this break are not sort of compulsory for us to release players.
“From our perspective, the Australian trip is an important part of our football club and we want to take our strongest possible team there.
“We will always be supportive of the national team and Steve Clarke has always been great with us in terms of his relationship with the club.
“But all of our players who won’t be going to the World Cup will be coming with us.
“We’re obviously taking a team to Australia. People have bought tickets and want to see the best possible Celtic side.
“Obviously we can’t take the players who are going to the World Cup, but we have obligations there to the people who have spent the money that we go there with the strongest possible team and that’s what we’ll be doing.”
SCOTLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Robby McCrorie.
Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Porteous, Calvin Ramsey, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney.
Midfielders: Scott McTominay, Kenny McLean, John McGinn, Ryan Jack, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Stuart Armstrong.
Attackers: Ryan Fraser, Lyndon Dykes, Ryan Christie, Jacob Brown, Che Adams.
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