Peter Houston says Rangers midfielder merits Scotland friendly call-up

Scotland assistant manager Peter Houston insists Ian Black deserves his call-up for the national team’s friendly against Australia.

The Rangers midfielder, along with Ross McCormack and David Goodwillie, was drafted in after four players pulled out for the match at Easter Road.

Last week Scotland boss Craig Levein says he wouldn’t close the door on players from the Glasgow club despite the Ibrox side finding themselves in Division Three.

However Dundee United boss Houston has no worries about Black fitting in to the squad.

He said: "He [Levein] said the door was always open for Lee Wallace to get in the squad. He wants to have a look at Danny Fox as well.

"Lee Wallace is very much part of Craig Levein's plans, trust me, I know that personally. And Ian Black is a player for a position that we're a wee bit short of for this particular game.

"Ian Black had a tremendous season last year and he's a quality football player. He has merited the call-up.

"After the withdrawals, we spoke about what was available and the best player available to come into the Scotland squad was Ian Black.

"He almost got picked once or twice last season.

When asked about the difficulties of Rangers players switching from Third Division football to the international arena, Levein said: "It is very difficult for anyone playing in the Third Division in Scotland to be up to the speed of an international match. No way am I closing the door at all, I just think it is more difficult for Lee to get in now than it was previously."

However Houston feels criticism of Levein over the issue is unfair, adding: "The door is open to any player, whatever division they are in. And if they are playing well, it means Craig has got a decision to make.

"I think it's been misconstrued, what he said last week with regards to Lee Wallace."

Blackburn striker David Goodwillie is in the squad after a difficult season with Steve Kean’s side.

Houston, who worked with the forward, at Dundee United added: "We know David's a talented player and we have brought him up as cove.

"Ross McCormack has been doing well and Ian Black has started the season well at Rangers."

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