Scotland's loss has been Leeds United's gain, with Robert Snodgrass channelling his Tartan disappointment in the best possible direction.
After injury scuppered his hopes of making his international debut against Japan in Yokohama early last month, the Glasgow-born raider copped further dismay ahead of the last round of fixtures when he was overlooked for the Scots' friendly encounter
with Sam Vokes' Wales in Cardiff on November 14.
Fit and raring to go after the best part of three weeks on the sidelines, Snodgrass felt he had done enough to earn his place in George Burley's plans in the principality – after carrying on from where he left off after an eye-catching start to the campaign.
Alas, it was not to be, with the 22-year-old not involved in Burley's swansong – he was placed on standby – and having to be content with negotiating the treadmill of training at Thorp Arch.
Snodgrass may have been a bit cheesed-off but feeling sorry for himself was the last thing in his thoughts, with his performance in the scintillating 3-0 weekend victory at Brighton – on his favoured left side – speaking volumes.
His delicious first-half strike rounded off a pretty perfect day and if his seasonal form continues and if he doesn't make the next international cut, you sense there should be a stewards' enquiry.
On missing out on the international front, Snodgrass said: "I was disappointed, but you need to keep on knuckling down and working hard on your game. And if it comes, then it comes. You could let stuff like that faze you.
"They did well for the first 15 minutes in Wales, but the scoreline was 3-0 and the manager's been sacked and you've just got to wish George Burley the best now in whatever job he takes on.
"I'm just concentrating on matters at Leeds. It was a great day at Brighton; I was on the left side and it gave me a wee bit of joy on my favourite side. I was obviously getting a few more shots off and more crosses into the box and it paid off.
"Playing on the right gives me carte blanche to kind of go inside and link off the strikers but on the left, you can just get the ball in the box and get a few more shots.
"The goal was pleasing, but it's not about me, it's about the team.
"I think there's a lot more to come from me and it's only down to me. I'll need to keep working hard on the training ground.
