NEIL LENNON has admitted the continued exclusion of Kris Commons from the Scotland squad is to Celtic's benefit but insisted the midfielder still has a role to play for the national team in the future.
Commons, who has not played for Scotland since turning out against Brazil 16 months ago, was the outstanding player in Celtic's 1-0 victory over Hearts at Parkhead yesterday which took Lennon's side back to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Lennon said of the midfielder: "His all-round play was fantastic. He was the avenue for a lot of our good play."
The Celtic manager emphasised that Craig Levein had "his reasons'' for not picking the 29-year-old and said he had "no problem" with the omission. But when asked if he was surprised at Commons not being in the squad, he replied: "Yes, but you are asking the wrong man here. Kris plays every week for me when he is in form like that, so you know my opinion of him. I know what he brings to the team and he had a great game the other night in Moscow.
"I'm sure he would help Scotland along the way and I'm sure he would want to help Scotland. He has just got to keep performing the way he is and it will be sooner rather than later.''
However, Lennon admitted he was ''selfishly delighted'' at Commons missing out on the matches against Wales and Belgium. ''It will give the wee man a chance to put his feet up for a few days,'' he said.
The manager admitted Commons was ''disappointed'' at missing out on the World Cup qualifying matches, saying: ''That's a natural feeling, he would like to play. On the flip side of that, his wife is heavily pregnant and he has two young kids, as well. So he might be grateful he doesn't have to spend two weeks away in hotels and can spend more time with his family.''
Charlie Mulgrew, meanwhile, will make the journey to the Scotland training camp despite being taken off after a clash with Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who was also substituted. MacDonald was knocked unconscious in the collision but was last night recovering.
"I think Charlie will go with Scotland. We need to check if there is concussion there or just grogginess,'' said Lennon. "But there's no reason why he can't go and come under their medical department. We'll let them look after him.''
The same applies to Scott Brown, who did not play yesterday after succumbing to his chronic hip injury.
"Scott will join up with Scotland and he'll be guided by them. I don't know if he'll be able to play, they'll have to gauge that," said Lennon. "I wouldn't be unhappy if he did, but I don't want to put pressure on anyone.''
John McGlynn, the Hearts manager, confirmed MacDonald was ''fine'' and said of the defeat: ''I was dis-appointed for the players. They put a lot into the game."
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