Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin insists he put the pride of players representing their country ahead of a winter training camp in Atlanta.
Goodwin made the call to leave six players off the flight to the United States due to international call-ups.
First-team starters Bojan Miovski, Ylber Ramadani, Liam Scales and Connor Barron are all absent from the trip to Atlanta due to international duty.
Rising teen stars Ryan Duncan and Evan Towler were also omitted from the winter camp to the United States due to call-ups.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke recently admitted his disappointment with Celtic’s decision not to release players for last night’s friendly in Turkey.
Celtic play in a friendly tournament in Australia during the winter break.
Goodwin insists he wasn’t going to stand in the way of players representing their country, even though the Reds faced Atlanta United in a friendly.
Goodwin said: “Liam (Scales) has not been involved in the Irish set-up a great deal in years gone by.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking them to come on the tour to Atlanta if it means Liam misses out on an Irish cap.
“I know how proud he is to represent his country.
“If I could put my player’s hat on I would certainly want to go and represent my country whether it is a friendly or an important match.
“I am in the same boat with Bojan and Ylber.
“These guys are very patriotic and passionate about playing for their county.
“I am delighted that Bojan and Ylber were both called up.
“Connor is also away with the under-21s and Ryan Duncan with the under-19s.”
Six Dons on international duty
Leading goalscorer Miovski is set to feature for North Macedonia in a home friendly against Finland tonight (5pm).
Miovski has netted 12 times for the Dons since a £535,000 transfer from MTK Budapest during the summer.
Since arriving at Pittodrie the 23-year-old has become North Macedonia’s first-choice striker.
9⃣ 🇲🇰
⚽ An 11th league goal of the season so far for Bojan.#StandFree | @bojanmiovskii pic.twitter.com/rPtlKzOA2M
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) November 13, 2022
Miovski started the Nations League games against Georgia (2-0 loss) and Bulgaria (1-0) loss in September.
In March, Miovski came off the bench to set up the goal in the 1-0 defeat of Euro 2020 champions Italy in the World Cup play-off semi-final.
He also featured as a substitute in the 2-0 play-off final loss to Portugal.
Midfielder Ylber Ramadani played in Albania’s home friendly against Italy last night.
Fellow midfielder Connor Barron is in the Scotland U21 squad to face Iceland in a home friendly tonight (7pm).
Duncan and Towler are in the squad for a U19 UEFA European Championship qualifier in Iceland.
Scales in contention for first cap
On loan Celtic defender Scales is in the Republic of Ireland squad to face Norway in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin tonight (7.45pm).
Scales will not face Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland as the Norwegian striker has been ruled out of the clash.
Haaland, who played in City’s shock 2-1 home defeat at the weekend, has been suffering from a foot injury.
“I assured Liam I would do everything with the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) in terms of trying to promote him.
“To help him and raise his profile.
“To get him back into that international scene because I think he is good enough to be a part of it.”
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin
Scales has yet to be capped at full senior level.
Goodwin was not going to deprive the defender the chance of realising a dream in representing his country.
Not for a winter break and a friendly.
Especially after he had sold an Aberdeen move to Scales on the basis it would help his international aspirations.
Goodwin said: “I am particularly pleased for Liam because that is one of the ways I sold Aberdeen to him.
“I assured Liam I would do everything with the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) in terms of trying to promote him.
“To help him and raise his profile.
“To get him back into that international scene because I think he is good enough to be a part of it.
“I am delighted Stephen Kenny (Republic of Ireland manager) agrees.”
Youth called in for internationals
With six players absent from the camp in Atlanta due to international duty, Goodwin bolstered his travelling squad with youth talent.
U18 stars including prolific striker Alfie Bavidge and midfielder Liam Harvey have travelled to the United States.
Goodwin said: “The international call-ups are a good sign and shows we are doing a lot of things well here this season.
“Our form and those players’ individual performances have been good this season.
“We brought a few of the Academy kids with us because we have those players away on international duty.”
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