THE reason for Steven Fletcher’s recall to the Scotland squad after over a year out may not exactly be a ringing endorsement of the striker or what he has to offer his country.

He has only been named in the squad for the Nations League double header against Albania and Israel later this month due to both Leigh Griffiths of Celtic and Steven Naismith of Hearts being unavailable due to injuries.

The circumstances surrounding his return to the fold, though, are of little concern to the Sheffield Wednesday player. Nor do they mean he will be unable to perform to a high level and help the national side record the victories which both they and their manager so desperately require.

Alex McLeish revealed Fletcher had been elated when he was informed he would be involved in the final Group C1 fixtures in the Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder on Saturday week and Hampden the following Tuesday yesterday.

“I left Steven alone in the summer,” he said. “I knew he was recuperating from injuries. But I always had him in my mind. When I asked him he said he would still love to play for Scotland. It was music to my ears.”

McLeish needs a good display and positive result against Albania after the 2-1 defeat to Israel last month to quell a growing disaffection among supporters even though a defeat would not prevent his charges from topping their group and securing a Euro 2020 play-off spot.

A win in the rematch with an Israel side who were, despite their lowly FIFA ranking, comfortably the better side away in Haifa, is vital.

The manager feels that Fletcher, who has scored nine times in the 31 international appearances he has made since making his Scotland debut in 2008, can help him achieve their objective even though it is now 13 months since he was last involved.

The 31-year-old, who came on as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana last year that saw the chance of a Russia 2018 play-off spot slip agonisingly from the grasp of the national team, is enjoying decent form having scored three goals in his last eight outings at club level.

McLeish, though, feels the former Hibernian, Burnley, Wolves, Sunderland and Marseille man has other attributes, like the ability to hold the ball up in the final third and bring those behind him into play, which will prove invaluable to his side.

He expects the experience the forward, who has scored more goals than every other member of the 23-man squad combined, has gained in the past decade should also be beneficial.

“I have always liked Steven,” said McLeish. “He is a specialist centre forward. He can link play and do that aspect of the game. I’m not saying Steven has got all the answers. But some of the younger players, the likes of Oli McBurnie, can learn off him. A guy like Fletcher can be a big influence on them.

“We looked at all the options. We felt that at this moment in time Fletch was the right candidate. The experience he has is why he stuck out like a sore thumb. It is good that he has been playing. He has been managing his games accordingly in keeping with the recovery. He maybe feels it at certain moments, but I’m sure he can make a big impression for us.”

Fletcher has had an eventful Scotland career to date. He made himself unavailable for selection for a spell following a fallout with former manager Craig Levein. His displays were also severely criticised by supporters who were keen to see Griffiths given a start during an extended run without a goal. McLeish is confident he will be able to cope with the scrutiny he will be under as a result.

“That is the pressure of football,” he said. “It is the pressure of big names. It is something you are trained to deal with. I am sure Steven can deal with it as well. If there is pressure on him to deliver then he can handle it. He has been that kind of player all his career.”

McLeish, who has blooded a raft of young players since being appointed Scotland manager for a second time back in February, must have been feeling the heat himself when first Griffiths and then Naismith was ruled out in recent weeks.

Asked what was going through his mind when his two first choice centre forwards were sidelined, he said: “I was thinking about alternatives – makeshift centre forwards, false centre forwards, all these modern positions. But I thought it was right that we try and seek out an experienced striker.”

The former Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers, Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager has also brought back Matt Phillips of West Brom and Callum Paterson of Cardiff City and stressed the latter, who scored against Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League in England last month, would be utilised in an advanced role not at right back if he is involved.

“Neil’ Warnock’s struggled for goals and he’s pushed him into the No.9 role and in recent weeks he’s done some damage.,” he said.