GORDON STRACHAN, the Scotland manager, has shrugged off the controversy surrounding Leigh Griffiths after naming the Celtic striker in his squad for the challenge match against Nigeria next month.

The former Hibernian forward is the subject of both a police investigation and a notice of complaint issued by the Scottish Football Association to be heard on May 22 over alleged racist singing in a public house. However, Strachan is relaxed about picking the 23-year-old for a match that takes place on May 28 at Craven Cottage.

"We're a bit sensitive in Great Britain at the moment," he said. "I suppose if you could put a tax on stupidity then it might have cost him a few bob. He would be a very poor man," he added of the striker.

It is understood that any SFA sanction on the charge if Griffiths is found guilty would not include a ban and is likely to be a fine or a censure.

Strachan said: "I've no concerns. I'm glad it's not retrospective because I used to go to Hibs games and sing silly songs as well when I was a kid. He does not change. He is an enthusiastic wee fella all the time."

Strachan also alluded to the controversy over the tax affairs of singer Gary Barlow when he said: "Even Gary Barlow has taken a bit today. He was meant to be a sir last week now they want him to send his OBE back. How ludicrous. If all the world was like Gary Barlow it would be a better place."