Celtic captain Scott Brown was not included in the Scotland squad announced Thursday for next month's World Cup qualifiers with Serbia and Macedonia despite helping the Hoops into the Champions League.
Brown played the full 90 minutes as the Scottish champions beat Helsinborg 2-0 at Celtic Park on Wednesday to reach the group stage.
But Scotland manager Craig Levein insisted the midfielder was still not fully fit because of a hip problem that has sidelined him from the Scottish Premier League so far this season and means he is now set to miss the World Cup double-header at Hampden Park.
"Scott Brown is fairly straightforward -- he is injured," Levein said ahead of the September 8 and 11 qualifiers.
"He's hardly trained and he has been playing probably just in the really important matches.
"He took an injection to play last night and he's visiting a specialist today (Thursday) and trying to resolve the issues that he has.
"If it becomes a situation where the specialist feels that maybe he can be involved, I can bring him into the group. But it looks unlikely at this time."
However, former Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, now at Turkish club Besiktas, was included after recovering from the groin injury he suffered during this month's friendly international against Australia.
"I've spoken to Allan and he feels a lot better and he feels he will be fit to play," said Levein.
Scotland's first two World Cup qualifiers have come too soon for Darren Fletcher as he continues his recovery from a bowel condition but Levein insisted the Manchester United midfielder's health was on the mend.
"I've had a chat with his manager (Alex Ferguson) and he is improving all the time," Levein said. "It's maybe just a little bit early for this game.
"When his club and his manager indicate to me that they feel he is ready to play first team football, then I'll certainly include him in our squad."
In Fletcher's absence, Wigan defender Gary Caldwell is set to captain the side in place of Kenny Miller.
"Gary is making his 50th appearance so I'll have a chat with Kenny. I would be inclined to think Gary might (be captain) with it being his 50th cap."
Squad
Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Allan McGregor (Besiktas/TUR), David Marshall (Cardiff)
Defenders: Christophe Berra (Wolves), Gary Caldwell (Wigan), Daniel Fox (Southampton), Grant Hanley (Blackburn), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andy Webster (Hearts)
Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Don Cowie (Cardiff), Graham Dorrans (West Brom), James Forrest (Celtic), Jamie Mackie (QPR), Shaun Maloney (Wigan), James Morrison (West Brom), Steven Naismith (Everton)
Forwards: Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich), Ross McCormack (Leeds), Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN), Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield)
Source: AFP
