Relegated McArthur won’t let his standards drop

The Wigan midfielder can continue to play a key role for Scotland.

James McArthur has dropped down from the English Premier League to the Championship this season. But his assistant manager at Wigan Athletic, Sandy Stewart, has been highly impressed at the midfielder’s handling of relegation, not allowing it to have a negative impact on his performances.

He said: “James’ attitude has been fantastic since we took over in the summer and he is a great professional. When you suffer relegation, it can be difficult to take, perhaps even more so when you are dropping out of a division as exciting as the Premier League in England. It’s such an exciting league with a huge profile.

“The matches are beamed about the world and it’s where just about every top professional footballer wants to be. So not having that could be tough for one or two of the lads to get their heads around, but they’ve been great.

“We’re determined to get Wigan back up there and hopefully for James he will be back next season playing against all the top sides in the country.

“He definitely acquitted himself very well in that environment last season, and he is showing his undoubted quality already for us this season in the Championship.”

Stewart also believes playing in the Championship this term will not force Gordon Strachan to exclude McArthur and Shaun Maloney from future squads.

Owen Coyle’s right-hand man said: “A number of the Scotland lads are all playing in the Championship and the standard is really high.

“Obviously it isn’t the same as the Premier League, but there are a lot of very good teams and players in this division and many international players as well.

“I’m sure as long as James continues to perform well for us at club level, he will remain involved in the Scotland squad as he’s played well any time he has started for his country.

“It’s unfortunate for Scotland, and us for that matter, that Shaun Maloney is injured at the moment because he has been excellent for Scotland in the last couple of games.

“But what I can say is James has been performing really well.

“If he is called upon on Tuesday night, I’m sure he will do everything that is asked of him and more. He’s the quiet type. He comes in every morning, works hard in training and goes about his job in a professional manner.

“However, he can play and he’s already shown he is good enough to do it at the highest level, which is exactly what international football is.”