McLeish should leave out 'petulant' players

The former Scotland manager believes that Alex McLeish should be firm on "petulant" players who ask to be left out. 

Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie is the latest to ask to be left out of the squad head coach McLeish named this week for upcoming Nations League games.

"I see one or two lads say they don't want to play," Brown told 'BBC Scotland'.

"From the outside it looks as though there is a bit of petulance there. They are not first choice on every occasion.

"If a player says that to you, then you don't want anything to do with them.

"Obviously the player wouldn't have his heart in it if he was to play for you. I think it would be understandable if you just ignore them."

McLeish said Ritchie's reasons for asking not to be considered for the games against Albania and Israel were "private" but "he has not retired".

"It is not something for me to discuss," McLeish said. "He had injury issues as well, and again, there is management of his injuries.

"You don't know everyone's private life so you have to respect that."