BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
BARRY FERGUSON insists he is baffled Matt Phillips is not already a fixture for Scotland after declaring the West Brom winger a potential match-winner.
The 26-year-old has been named in Gordon Strachan’s squad to face Canada and Slovenia later this month, as he enjoys blistering campaign with the Baggies, scoring five goals in 26 appearances since his £5 million switch from QPR last summer.
He is in line to win his first cap since October 2012 – a fact that mystifies former Scotland skipper Ferguson, who played alongside Phillips at Blackpool between 2011 and 2013.
He told BBC Sportsound: “I am surprised he has not been in more squads. He has gone to West Brom and played very well this season and there is no doubt he is a very good player.
“Matty is one of those frustrating players. I played with him at Blackpool and, physically, he is a specimen of a man. He is quick, strong and has really good ability.
“He is a confidence player and he needs to be playing in a team where they are winning games.
“But I’ve always liked him and am surprised he has not been in many of Gordon Strachan’s squads.
“He can win you a game, that’s the one thing Matty could always do for you. When I was at Blackpool he was our main player and we looked to him to go out and win the game for us. He is capable of that.”
