SNS GroupScotland manager Steve Clarke has said that he is “disappointed” that Celtic have not allowed any players to be called up for the friendly against Turkey.
Clarke named his squad for the game on Wednesday, with no players from the Scottish champions in the group.
Callum McGregor is injured but Greg Taylor, Anthony Ralston and David Turnbull have all been in recent squads.
During normal break in the season for national team games, clubs are compelled to release players for international duty or cannot play them in subsequent club fixtures.
However, next week’s friendly doesn’t come as part of the agreed FIFA international calendar, meaning clubs have discretion.
Celtic are travelling to Australia during the break for the World Cup to play in the Sydney Super Cup frinedly tournament against Sydney FC and Everton.
Everton have released Nathan Patterson to join the Scotland squad.
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 going on and that sounds pretty official to me.
“That’s what it is. Clubs don’t have to release their players and Celtic have chosen not to release theirs for this game.
“I have to say I’m disappointed by that decision but we have to take it on the chin.
“It’s a chance for someone else.”
Asked what contact he had had with the Premiership club, he said: “Personally? None.
“It was just a blanket decision. Celtic have just said that none of their players are available for any international games. So all the countries are affected.
I think the biggest thing is that it’s not a recognised FIFA international window and I can’t get my head around that.
Quite often when there’s friendly games involved in the past, I’ve known that clubs haven’t released their players.
It’s disappointing but we just deal with it.”
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