Scotland manager Alex McLeish has attempted to ease some of the pressure on Kenny Miller by assuring him he remains firmly in his thoughts for crucial forthcoming matches - for now.
Miller struggled to nail down a first-team place during his debut season at Celtic and now finds himself pushed even further down the pecking order at a club top heavy with forward players.
McLeish admits Miller's inability to force his way into Gordon Strachan's plans makes his own job more difficult but does not believe the striker's confidence has suffered sufficiently to drop him from the national squad.
He said: "If it looked as though any player's confidence had gone because he's not playing then you would see that in training, practice matches and body language.
"But Kenny is a tough little cookie and I think he'll come through this little mini-crisis and things will work out for him.
"I don't know if his confidence has taken a dip. I would like to think not.
"I would like to say to him not to worry about it.
"He will certainly be in my thoughts for the next few games which are coming up."
France are the hosts for next month's European Championship qualifier, before Scotland face another gruelling trip to Georgia.
Qualification for next summer's finals remains a realistic target for the Scots at the moment and, with a nation's hopes resting heavy on his shoulders, McLeish knows he will soon have to make some difficult choices.
Miller has been a good servant to his country in recent years but the national team coach may soon have to choose between loyalty to the player and what is best for his team.
Asked whether Miller can expect to retain his place in the Scotland team if his situation at Celtic remains grim, an uncomfortable McLeish said: "I wouldn't like to commit myself to an answer to that question at the moment.
"It's a long season and Kenny will do everything in his power to catch Gordon's eye.
"We want him to be involved with Scotland and it would be great if he gets games but his club is going to dictate that."
McLeish added: "You would want Kenny to be playing regularly. His appearances in a Scotland jersey have been terrific. Against Italy he had another good game.
"He's not scoring. We don't have the out and out prolific Kenny Miller that you would like.
"But, at the same time, his return for Scotland has been magnificent."
McLeish admits Miller's inability to force his way into Gordon Strachan's plans makes his own job more difficult but does not believe the striker's confidence has suffered sufficiently to drop him from the national squad.
He said: "If it looked as though any player's confidence had gone because he's not playing then you would see that in training, practice matches and body language.
"But Kenny is a tough little cookie and I think he'll come through this little mini-crisis and things will work out for him.
"I don't know if his confidence has taken a dip. I would like to think not.
"I would like to say to him not to worry about it.
"He will certainly be in my thoughts for the next few games which are coming up."
France are the hosts for next month's European Championship qualifier, before Scotland face another gruelling trip to Georgia.
Qualification for next summer's finals remains a realistic target for the Scots at the moment and, with a nation's hopes resting heavy on his shoulders, McLeish knows he will soon have to make some difficult choices.
Miller has been a good servant to his country in recent years but the national team coach may soon have to choose between loyalty to the player and what is best for his team.
Asked whether Miller can expect to retain his place in the Scotland team if his situation at Celtic remains grim, an uncomfortable McLeish said: "I wouldn't like to commit myself to an answer to that question at the moment.
"It's a long season and Kenny will do everything in his power to catch Gordon's eye.
"We want him to be involved with Scotland and it would be great if he gets games but his club is going to dictate that."
McLeish added: "You would want Kenny to be playing regularly. His appearances in a Scotland jersey have been terrific. Against Italy he had another good game.
"He's not scoring. We don't have the out and out prolific Kenny Miller that you would like.
"But, at the same time, his return for Scotland has been magnificent."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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