Mark Wilson has suggested Celtic favouritism after ex-Hoops defender Ben McPherson was left out of Scotland’s U21 squad.
McPherson has been a mainstay for Partick Thistle this season, playing 90 minutes in their top-of-the-table clash with St Johnstone in the Scottish Championship on Friday.
A nine-time Scotland U21 international, the right-back had been on loan at Firhill from Celtic this season and recently agreed a permanent contract at the promotion hopefuls.
Thistle manager Wilson didn’t hold back after Scott Gemmill omitted McPherson from his latest squad – he hinted that it may not be a coincidence that he has dropped out after agreeing the permanent switch.
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Scotland call on ex-Celtic man Ben McPherson ‘a shame’, Mark Wilson says
Wilson told James Cairney: “We had a wee laugh about it in the squad meeting just before we went onto the training pitch, just a wee joke with [Ben Stanway] and Ts’oanelo [Letsosa].
“But Ben McPherson, you’re right. It’s often harder to get out of the squad. When you’ve been in every squad, and then you’re playing better and more consistent, and you get papped out… I don’t think l’ve ever seen that before.
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“So if I was Ben, I’d be disappointed, but you’ve got to make light of it and point out how ludicrous it is to then quickly move on. So, I just don’t know, it’s just weird.
“You know, he’s in every squad when he’s officially a Celtic player. As soon as he puts pen to paper and becomes a Partick Thistle player, yet playing better, he finds himself out of the squad.
“I don’t know what’s going on there, it’s madness. But that’s not our decision. I thought maybe they were looking at a younger squad coming in and maybe trying to refresh it and give others a chance…
“But there’s still boys in there who are 21 and can’t play next year. Consistently that would be the case. I don’t know.
“It’s a shame for these guys. Young players, they want to feel like they’re going the right way. For Ben to take a step back to maybe go two steps forward takes a lot from a player.
“I think it tells you a lot about their character. Maybe others can’t see the bigger picture in that.”
Gemmill’s squad includes two Celtic players: Colby Donovan and Kyle Ure, the latter of whom is currently on loan at Ayr United.
They face Czechia and Portugal in qualifiers for the upcoming European Championships.
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Mark Wilson’s ex-Celtic blood at Partick Thistle
Thistle have been a real success story this season, making a solid push for the title with a young squad under former Celtic defender Wilson.
Along with McPherson, goalkeeper Josh Clarke is also on loan at the Jags from Celtic Park, and he too has agreed to a permanent switch.
Sean McArdle spent some time on loan there earlier in the season, but has since returned to the Hoops. The aforementioned Letsosa left Celtic’s youth system to join Lommel SK in 2023, and has also been a standout in the Jags’ campaign.
Wilson is one of three former Celtic players managing in the second tier, along with Neil Lennon and Scott Brown.
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