CSABA LASZLO, the Hearts manager, today expressed his disappointment over Michael Stewart's omission from the Scotland squad. National coach George Burley did not include the midfielder in his party for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier with Norway, prompting his club manager to declare that he merited a place.
Stewart has been Hearts' most consistent performer under Laszlo, his game rising to new heights during the early weeks of the season. This prompted an international recall for August's friendly with Northern Ireland following a six-year absence, alth
ough only after Burley suffered withdrawals from his original squad. Stewart was called up late last month for Scotland's World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland, however he has once more been placed on standby ahead of Norway's visit.
Asked if he was disappointed not to see Stewart in Burley's squad, Laszlo replied: "If I am open, I tell you yes. Michael Stewart is in good form but this is only my opinion. Michael Stewart is my player, I see him every day and I see his development as a sportsman. He is a leader at the moment and he is growing in his position, but I respect the decision from the national coach and I think Michael also respects this.
"Michael is a very strong character. I always think if you are a football player, you see the squad and your name is not there, you think 'och'. But Michael thinks about the next game.
"You saw he was not invited to the last (Scotland] game, but after two or three days later he was. You don't know what happens in training. I think Michael is really happy at the moment because he joined the national team again after six years. He knows he can be a leader in my team and his position is strong.
"Every day, in every game, he is focused. I know it is important for the national team to win this game, it is important for Scottish football."
Laszlo predicted that the national team will shoulder extra responsibility for maintaining Scotland's co-efficient rating after Motherwell and Celtic both lost midweek European ties to Nancy and Villarreal respectively.
The former Ferencvaros and Hungary coach continued: "I am not a fan of Celtic or Motherwell but I was sad they lost. If you play international football, you can do something good for your country. Motherwell are out and there is nobody from Scotland in the UEFA Cup for the next six months. Also, you lose a lot of points. I hope Celtic can move to the next stage in the Champions League because this is good for Scottish football. I would like to help your football. I have had luck in life to play international football every year with my teams, and it's not easy. Nothing can compare with international football, not Germany, not England, not Scotland.
"I will tell you a story. Sparta Prague-Ferencvaros, Champions League. It's 1-0 to the opponents in the 115th minute of extra-time (1-1 on aggregate]. You have played fantastic football, you have a goalkeeper who is a penalty killer, you have the possibility to make a substitute. I thought, 'Should I do it, or not?' My coach was writing the names of our penalty takers. Then came the corner, it's 2-0. Finished. This is international football.
"From every chance in every minute, if you are not there they punish you. In the league, maybe every second or third chance will be used, but in international football every chance is taken. If you are not there with the head, from coach to second coach to bench, you are out.
"I can give another example. Sweden against Hungary. For 90 minutes we saw nothing from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The people in the stadium were applauding my team. I was the big king with (Lothar] Matthaus, the manager. On 93 minutes, Ibrahimovic took the ball on his chest, turned, bang. 1-0. Then you go down in your chair."
The full article contains 678 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
