Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has done well for himself avoiding the current mess Scotland find themselves in under Alex McLeish.
The two performances during this international break against Portugal and Israel have been absolutely dismal and have done nothing to suggest that the national team is heading in the right direction with the two-time Scotland boss.
Griffiths received plenty of criticism for his decision to withdraw from the squad and focus on his fitness, hoping to get his club career back on track and then be even more of a benefit to Scotland in future matches.
Despite the reason given, there was the impression that his decision could in part be due to McLeish’s involvement as manager and his clear preference to play Hearts striker Steven Naismith ahead of him.
If the Tartan Army boss can’t see that Griffiths is a better option that every other Scottish striker, then why would the player expose himself to that?
It’s a decision further vindicated purely by the way Scotland are playing right now, looking utterly devoid of confidence and looking tired throughout the 90 minutes of both matches.
With talents like Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney looking average under McLeish’s watch, surely his time as Scotland boss won’t last very long this time around?
Griffiths putting his club career first for the moment is spot on in my opinion and let’s hope we see the benefits of a rest for the player when the Celtic action returns next week at home to Hibernian.
In the long-term, the whole saga may prove to benefit his country too.