Stuart Armstrong is currently away on international duty with Scotland.
However, the Saints star didn’t feature in their memorable play-off win over Serbia on Thursday, much to the bemusement of Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.
The 28-year-old, who has 21 international caps to his name, was named as a substitute under Steve Clarke but was not brought on in Belgrade.
Luka Jovic’s late header forced the tie into extra time, with David Marshall becoming Scotland’s hero in the penalty shootout by saving Aleksandar Mitrovic spot-kick.
Le Tissier tweeted just 15 minutes into Scotland’s playoff, baffled by how Armstrong doesn’t get into Clarke’s starting line-up.
Twitter: How does Stuart Armstrong not get in this Scotland team
(@mattletiss7)
It didn’t take long for several supporters of both Scotland and Southampton to reply to the 52-year-old’s post.
Twitter: @mattletiss7 Steve Clarke doesn’t know ball (@SouthamptonPage)
Twitter: @mattletiss7 As a Scottish saints ST holder, I have no idea Matt
(@thesecretbarry)
Twitter: @mattletiss7 It’s quite baffling as he is in surely better form than some of the current Scotland midfielders (@MrDaleYarney)
Twitter: @mattletiss7 Very bizarre but I’m not complaining. Less chance of him coming back to us injured like always (@Liam_Houghton98)
Twitter: @mattletiss7 Asked myself the same question, madness I think especially in a game like this (@cjwatkins93)
Twitter: @mattletiss7 Crazy (@jamiecherryman)
In terms of club performance, Armstrong has been in fine form under Ralph Hasenhuttl this season. He has scored one goal and provided two assists this season – Southampton’s seventh-best performer from players who have featured more than five times (WhoScored).
One positive that Saints fans can take from Armstrong’s national exclusion, though, is that he won’t be at much risk of picking up an injury sitting on the bench.
