Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admits he is taking a gamble by omitting his Celtic and Aberdeen contingent from his squad to face Italy and France.
But Strachan is convinced it is more important in the long run to have Scottish players competing at the top level in European club football.
Celtic quartet Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths have been dropped for the post-season friendlies along with Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean. Hearts rejected the chance to allow Callum Paterson to miss the trip, though.
Both Hearts and Aberdeen start their Europa League campaign on June 30, with Celtic kicking off their Champions League qualifying quest less than two weeks later.
Strachan’s 27-man squad, which includes Dundee keeper Scott Bain, will be cut because of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, while Hibs midfielder John McGinn could be in action less than 48 hours before Scotland jet off for Malta for their May 29 friendly against Italy.
But the former Celtic boss – who called up Rangers pair Barrie McKay and Lee Wallace – felt he had to take a long-term view.
Strachan said: “The reason the Celtic and Aberdeen players are not there – I’m the Scotland manager. My job is to get the best for Scottish football.
“So I’m picking a squad that’s without Celtic and Aberdeen players. I’m trying to give them as much rest as I can so they can be ready for their European ties.
“It might be a bit of a gamble; I could have done with some of them.
“If Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts and whoever is next get through and plays at the top level throughout next year, I will be delighted because that’s only going to help Scotland, having experience of playing in Europe, playing against top sides and top players.”
The only Celtic player included is Charlie Mulgrew, whose contract expires at the end of this month.
Strachan, whose side play France in Metz on June 4, said: “He will maybe not be a Celtic player when we play the second game. So that’s the reason Charlie is there. But Charlie has had a stop-start season and I don’t think he needs as much of a rest.”
Seven of Strachan’s squad are involved in the English play-offs, from all four Championship teams vying for the Wembley final on May 28.
Meanwhile, Strachan felt he had to select Wallace and McKay together following their link-up play down Rangers’ left flank.
Scott Bain, David Marshall, Allan McGregor; Christophe Berra, Grant Hanley, Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, Charlie Mulgrew, Callum Paterson, Andrew Robertson, Lee Wallace; Ikechi Anya, Barry Bannan, Oliver Burke, Darren Fletcher, Shaun Maloney, James McArthur, John McGinn, Barrie McKay, Matt Phillips, Matt Ritchie, Robert Snodgrass; Chris Martin, Ross McCormack, Steven Naismith.
