Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck is still waiting for his international debut for Scotland.
Fleck was named in Alex McLeish’s squad for recent Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and San Mario. However, he failed to come off the bench.
This is despite the fact the Scots failed to meet expectations in either game. McLeish is under pressure following a 3-0 defeat to Kazakhstan and a 2-0 win over minnows San Marino.
There were boos and chants aimed at the manager during that latter result. Scotland laboured to victory over the official worst international team in the world.
Where was Fleck?
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The 27-year-old was first called up by McLeish in November for a Nations League double header. However, a mix up meant Fleck was unavailable for the 4-0 win over Albania. He didn’t come on against Israel.
In these two most recent – and frankly woeful performances – McLeish used four different central midfielders. Callum McGregor, who has admittedly been key for Celtic in recent times, started both.
John McGinn started in Kazakhstan while Kenny McLean replaced him against San Marino. Scott McTominay was a substitute in both matches.
McTominay is a bright, young prospect at Manchester United, albeit lacking regular game time. Yet when it comes to McGinn and McLean, it’s difficult to see how Fleck isn’t on the same level.
McGinn has done well in an Aston Villa team four places and 17 points behind the Blades in the Championship table. McLean, meanwhile, is far from a regular for leaders Norwich City with only 11 league appearances this season.
Fleck is a key player for Chris Wilder’s overachieving side. His form lead to West Ham United making a £4m bid in January – which as the Sheffield Star reports, was rejected.
Based on this campaign, Fleck is arguably the leading candidate among the Championship representatives. So where is that cap?