Steve Clarke admits he's "disappointed" at Celtic 's decision not to release players for international friendlies next week, leaving him without a number of his usual squad for the trip to face Turkey. And he's also asked FIFA why they haven't enforced it, given it comes just days before the World Cup kicks off.
Ange Postecoglou stated on Tuesday he would not release players for international football unless they were going to the World Cup, putting his club's friendly schedule, which includes a trip to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup, ahead of the Scots' friendly in Turkey. While Callum McGregor wouldn't have made the cut due to injury, the likes of David Turnbull, Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston not being available left Clarke with a selection conundrum.
He drafted in Lewis Ferguson from Bologna and Calvin Ramsay from Liverpool – the latter for the first time ever – to make up the numbers. And speaking of the decision, he confirmed Celtic are under no obligation to release players since it's not a recognised international window. Much to his bemusement.
Clarke said: "The baseline is that it's not an official international window. I don't know why because there's a World Cup window going on. That sounds pretty official to me.
"That's what it is. The clubs don't have to release their players and Celtic have chosen not to release their players for this game. I have to say I'm disappointed with that decision but we have to take it on the chin and it's a chance for someone else. It was just a blanket decision. Celtic have said that none of their players are available for any international games."
Sweden boss Janne Andersson was equally bemused over Carl Starfelt but Postecoglou said on Tuesday it has nothing to do with a lack of respect for international football. He said: “From our perspective, the Australian trip is an important part of our football club and we want to take our strongest possible team there.
“We will always be supportive of the national team and Steve Clarke has always been great with us in terms of his relationship with the club. But all of our players who won’t be going to the World Cup will be coming with us.
“We’re obviously taking a team to Australia. People have bought tickets and want to see the best possible Celtic side. Obviously, we can’t take the players who are going to the World Cup, but we have obligations there to the people who have spent the money that we go there with the strongest possible team and that’s what we’ll be doing.”
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