Scotland striker crisis: Griffiths and Naismith both out for Albania and Israel

More doubt has been cast over the future of Scotland's Nations League hopes, as both experienced strikers Leigh Griffiths and Steven Naismith are due to miss their crucial fixtures with Albania and Israel this month. 

Herats top scorer Niasmith is due to have surgery on a knee cartilage tear, which could render him out for up to 8 weeks. While Griffith's participation has been put in doubt by his club manager Brendan Rodgers, as the player recovers from a calf issue. 

Therefore, National boss Alex Mcleish has been left with a conundrum as to who he will select to spearhead his faltering side for the two must win clashes next month. 

The problem could see Sheffield Wednesday's Steven Fletcher earn his first cap in almost 12 months, since his last appearanc eina  2-2 draw with Slovenia last year. 

Celtic boss Rodgers spoke of Griffith's recovery progress in a press conference after his side beat Hearts to advance to the Betfred cup final next month.

Rodgers said: "I'm not sure. That will depend on Leigh, how quickly he responds to treatment and how hard he works to get fit. He's getting better and his calf injury is coming towards its end. He's not on the playing field yet but he's working with the medical team and the sports science team to get as fit as he possibly can. However, even if he is fit for that period he certainly won't be match fit."

Meanwhile Hearts boss Craig Levein also spoke about his star striker's injury woes, telling the media: "Naisy (Naismith) looks like he's got a cartilage problem so will need an operation. It's a bit more complicated than usual because he's a Norwich player, so we need to send him back down there for an assessment. They, as a parent club, will decide what's happening. But I'm pretty sure he'll go under the knife in the next two or three days."

Scotland boss McLeish was forced to choose between Naismith and Griffiths for the previous fixtures with Albania and Israel, but it seems like he will have to look elsewhere for goals, as the two are highly doubtful to be fit, and almost definitely will not be match fit when the fixtures arrive.