Mark McGhee now’s no time for experiments

Scotland will look to consolidate, not experiment in next month’s friendly against Poland.

Skipper Darren Fletcher will be brought back into the fold, setbacks notwithstanding, but otherwise there are likely to be few shocks.

The draw for the 2016 European Championships takes place in Nice in a fortnight’s time and, as assistant national coach Mark McGhee revealed, the tournament is very much dominating Gordon Strachan’s thoughts.

“In terms of the Euros, every second counts for us,” he said. “So Poland is an important game and we will be picking a team with that thought in mind.

“It is not going to be about experimenting, but the development of the group and building up momentum for the qualifying campaign that lies ahead.”

And that will mean a recall for the man they want to lead Scotland to the country’s first major Finals since 1998.

Darren Fletcher was taken by some to have all but ruled out the possibility earlier this week.

Talking publicly about his long battle with ulcerative colitis, the 30 year said he didn’t want his return to come as the result of a “token gesture.”

But Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee says that is not the view held by the country’s management.

“We have found reports Darren doesn’t want to be considered for the Poland game to be contradictory,” he said. “That is the exact opposite from the conversation that Gordon has had with him.

“Darren told Gordon he is getting fitter all the time, and definitely wanted to be considered for Warsaw.

“He is a Manchester United player. We have not got enough of that calibre of player so we will welcome him back with open arms. His return will give the squad a big lift, but we all know the problems he has had.

“So it will be a case of Gordon speaking to him and speaking to David Moyes nearer the time.”

Steven Fletcher has effectively been ruled out of the trip to Warsaw because of his injured Achilles tendon.

But while his new Sunderland team-mate Liam Bridcutt is very much in line to make the squad, the likes of Chris Maguire of Sheffield Wednesday and Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd may have to wait their turn.

Said McGhee: “You have to be fair to people.

“You don’t ignore form but at the same time we have a group who are the core of the squad and who almost pick themselves.”