Scotland have suffered a triple withdrawal blow for their clash with Turkey.
Che Adams, Kenny McLean and Nathan Patterson will not travel and won't be replaced for the midweek showdown as Steve Clarke and Co bid to keep the positive feelgood factor in the camp ahead of the friendly.
European qualifying kicks off early next year and this is another chance for a number of the squad to force their way into selection ahead of a big year to come. Scotland topped their Nations League section and with that earned promotion to Group A. That also meant a guaranteed play-off spot for the finals is already in the bag and it earned a second seeding for the upcoming qualifying campaign.
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Hampden proved a fortress with wins over Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland before an away day draw in the last meet up of the squad. No Celtic players are included this time around due to their trip to Australia to the Sydney Super Cup in what Ange Postecoglou has described as key for his stars in preparation for the second part of the campaign. They currently lead rivals Rangers at the top of the Premiership summit by nine points.
Speaking last week about the decision from the Hoops not to release their players, Clarke said: “Obviously I’m disappointed that we are not getting the players. I’m probably more disappointed for the players than anything else that they don’t get the chance to come away with the national team.
“I know they enjoy coming away with us and some of them have missed out on a selection. But because it’s not an official window Celtic are entitled to do that. So we just have to deal with it.
“I’ve always got standby people in my head. I’ve learned very quickly in this job that you need a big list of standby people.
“I’ve got a list and I will also look at [Scotland Under-21s manager] Scot Gemmill’s squad that he’s got coming together for a game. There are some interesting people in that squad that I’d like to keep an eye on.”
He continued: “I’m disappointed the players aren’t coming. I’m not angry, I don’t want to fight anybody and I’m not upset. I’m just disappointed. That’s all you can be and then you just have to move on. I look at the squad and I think it’s quite good.”
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