No Mark McGhee pressure to pick Chris Cadden - Ricky Sbragia

Chris Cadden has joined the Scotland Under-21 squad

Scotland Under-21s boss Ricky Sbragia insists no pressure was put on him by senior assistant Mark McGhee to pick Motherwell midfielder Chris Cadden.

McGhee, who is also manager of Motherwell, publically expressed his surprise that Cadden had been left out of the initial U21 squad.

Cadden was then brought in after an injury to Brentford's Lewis Macleod.

"It was case of Chris or Lewis and we felt Lewis had a bit more experience at that level," said Sbragia.

"Unfortunately, Lewis got a little niggle so we brought Chris in.

"Chris has another year at 21s and he was always the one who was going to be called in."

Sbragia, whose side face Macedonia in a European Under-21 Championship qualifying match at Tynecastle on Friday, insisted McGhee had not exerted pressure on him to call in Cadden.

Lewis Macleod has made five appearances for Brentford this season

"The conversation we had about the remarks, it's history as far as I'm concerned," said Sbragia.

"We do communicate and it was my decision at the time to go with the more experienced one.

"There was no pressure at all. That's one thing I have to say about it - it was my decision."

Sbragia praised the 19-year-old Cadden, who has scored three goals in nine games for Well this season, for the way he has fitted in after replacing 22-year-old Macleod.

"He is an exceptionally good player and has done fantastic in training, but we knew that," added the coach.

"He is a good replacement, but you can only pick so many."