Preston North End defender Liam Lindsay has again been overlooked by Scotland despite his impressive displays this season.
The first international break of 2024 is upon us and a handful of PNE players will be heading off with their countries.
Ali McCann and Robbie Brady will be away with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland respectively.
Milutin Osmajic has been called up by Montenegro but his participation is unclear after an ankle injury at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Ryan Lowe will just be hoping to avoid any further injury blows during this international break, but one North End player may feel a little aggrieved…
Liam Lindsay snubbed by Scotland
Scotland will be taking on the Netherlands and Northern Ireland over the next week as they prepare for Euro 2024.
Six centre backs were called up for this international break; Copenhagen’s Scott McKenna, Al-Ettifaq’s Jack Hendry, Leeds United’s Liam Cooper, Watford’s Ryan Porteous, Rangers ace John Souttar and Norwich City’s Grant Hanley.
There was, once again, no spot in the squad for Liam Lindsay as the PNE defender continues to be overlooked.
The 28-year-old has been a mainstay of the PNE side this season, starting every single one of the 37 Championship games so far.
Lindsay has missed just 21 minutes over the course of the season, locking down the position as North End’s central centre back in Lowe’s three-man back line.
Lindsay has been solid and dependable for PNE this season; he’s not the quickest or flashiest centre back around but he has been getting the job done.
Nobody in the Championship has made more clearances than Lindsay this season with the PNE man racking up a huge 194 clearances.
Lindsay ranks second for blocked shots with 47 and 18th for interceptions with 50.
The former Partick Thistle man has carved out a key role at North End yet still hasn’t been given a call-up by Scotland.
The situation has become even stranger as Hanley has now pulled out of the squad – and Scotland don’t plan to call up a replacement.
“We’ve got enough cover in those positions so I think we’re quite happy with what we’ve got,” said Scotland assistant boss John Carver.
Maybe Scotland don’t want to bring in a new face ahead of Euro 2024, preferring to go with the core of players who got them into the tournament.
Not even taking a look at Lindsay, who is playing week in and week out for a play-off chasing PNE side, seems like a major oversight though and we would certainly back Lindsay for a call-up if Scotland need a centre back any time soon.