Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has admitted that he is “quite happy” not to have been called up by Scotland this month (via Sheffield Star).
Steve Clarke’s side face UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Kazakhstan this week.
Bannan has won 27 caps for his country, but hasn’t represented them for a while now. Indeed, his most recent appearance was way back in October 2017 when he played 90 minutes in a World Cup qualifier against Slovenia (Transfermarkt).
He isn’t completely out of the frame, and was placed on standby by Clarke prior to their game against Russia in October although in the end he wasn’t required (Sheffield Star).
However, having not received a call-up again for their internationals in November Bannan has admitted that he is actually relieved as he “needs a rest,” (Sheffield Star).
“I shouldn’t be saying this, but I am probably quite happy not to be in, as I have a lot of niggles at the moment,” Bannan continued.
“I have never ruled it out and if I get picked I get picked. If I don’t, I am happy playing for my club every week. As long as I am fit and playing for my club every week, that’s all that bothers me.”
Bannan not being involved with the Scottish national team is good news for Sheffield Wednesday, particularly in the short term as it means that he has time to get himself fully fit for their upcoming Christmas fixture list without the distraction of international football.
The midfielder is a key player at Hillsborough, indeed he has featured in 14 league games this season (Transfermarkt), so hearing that his full focus on club football will be music to Garry Monk’s ears.
However, Bannan also said that he still hopes to get back into the Scotland squad at some point in the future and when his niggling injuries are behind him (Sheffield Star). So it may be that his international career still has one last chapter in it.
Sheffield Wednesday fans, do you think Barry Bannan should still be in the Scotland squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
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