Former Rangers favourite Andy Halliday wonders whether John Souttar was omitted from Steve Clarke's final Scotland squad for Euro 2024 because he wasn't fully recovered from an injury.
Souttar was substituted at half-time of Rangers' Scottish Premiership showdown with Celtic on May 11. And boss Philippe Clement struggled to confirm the extent of the former Heart of Midlothian defenders setback.
He was included in Scotland's 28-man provisional squad ahead of the Euros but didn't even make the bench as the national team defeated Gibraltar then drew with Finland.
That suggested something was perhaps lurking around the centre-back, and it was confirmed on Friday evening that it would be the 27-year-old plus experienced goalkeeper Craig Gordon who would be the unlucky pair to miss out on the squad that will face Germany, Switzerland and Hungary over the next few weeks.
"When I seen the provisional 28-man squad and see four goalkeepers you always felt one was going to miss out," Halliday told Sky Sports. "I just felt that Craig having that double-leg break and only making seven appearances this season.
"On the flip side, when you look at Liam Kelly, he's just broke a 10-year SPL record of 132 consecutive starts. I always felt if it was going to be one it was going to be Craig but it was fantastic to see him make what could potentially be his Scotland farewell last night. I thought it was a classy touch from Steve Clarke. He will obviously feel very unfortunate he is not going to Germany.
"I think that decision (Souttar) was probably a wee bit more difficult for Steve Clarke. Looking at the 28-man squad there is seven and you could argue eight boys who can play centre-half in the squad.
"You always felt the likes of John Souttar and maybe Liam Cooper, these type of guys, were going against each other and with John's injury coming at a real key time in the season towards the last four or five games.
"You look at the game against Gibraltar, doesn't make the bench. It was great to see him in that open work out but doesn't make the bench again last night so you just wonder was it a race against time with that injury? It was a competitive area of the park, he will certainly feel disappointed but I am still confident with what we have going to Germany."
