SFA president Campbell Ogilvie says selection for the Scotland squad remains manager Craig Levein's decision

Craig Levein: Set to name his squad for World Cup qualifiers this week

The Scottish Football Association will not interfere with Scotland manager Craig Levein's selection policy regardless of Steven Fletcher's ongoing exile, insists president Campbell Ogilvie.

Levein will name his squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Belgium at Hampden on Tuesday but there will be no place for the Sunderland striker in his plans.

Fletcher has not featured for the Scots since informing the SFA by text message that he did not wish to be selected for a game against Northern Ireland in February 2011.

The 25-year-old indicated last month via Twitter that he would be willing to return to the national fold if wanted, after Levein closed the door on the player in a bid to end speculation over his international future at the start of the campaign.

While Scotland have endured a stuttering start to the qualifiers, Fletcher is in sparkling form after claiming his fifth goal in four games for the Black Cats at the weekend.

However, SFA president Ogilvie is adamant the final decision rests with Levein.

He said: "It's clear-cut, it's very black and white.

"The manager is employed to pick the team and the players who he wants for his squad for the national team.

"The team manager is employed to pick the team that he deems fit to be the best to win the games.

"It's not for myself or a board member to interfere in that process."

Prerogative

He added: "I'm quite clear that it's Craig Levein's prerogative to pick which players he wishes.

"As a matter of principle, I do not believe it's right that a director should try in any way to influence the team selection."

The Scots took just two points from their opening two games at Hampden against Serbia and Macedonia last month and now face two potentially tricky ties on the road as they bid to steer their campaign back on track.

Ogilvie said: "I think there is a general consensus that we wanted more points from the first two games but they are two very good teams - Serbia in particular - and we've got to go into the next two games very positive and with everyone pulling together.

"There has been some negativity out there at times but, like any football match, you have to go in with a positive frame of mind.

"In my view, everyone has to be behind Craig and the team going into these games.

"We are totally behind Craig. We have played two games and we want to take something out of the next two games."

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