Scotland squad: Peter Houston feels Scots squad reflects SPL cash shortage By STEPHEN HALLIDAY Published on Tuesday 28 February 2012 04:04 THE presence of 13 players from the English Premier League in the 22-strong Scotland squad Craig Levein will take to Slovenia today will be regarded by the manager as a healthy indication of the quality of resources currently available to him. But the fact there are only three SPL players in the party - Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and the Celtic duo of Charlie Mulgrew and James Forrest - while there are double that number from the English Championship reflects negatively on the standard of Scotland's top flight league. Levein's assistant, Dundee United manager Peter Houston is among those with contenders for Scotland recognition from his club being overlooked in favour of those plying their trade in the Championship. Houston remains hopeful that players such as Paul Dixon and Scott Robertson can force their way into Levein's plans for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign but insists he would never champion their cause simply to benefit the Tannadice club. He also believes that the disparity in numbers between SPL and English Championship representation in the senior international squad is simply an inevitable consequence of Scottish domestic football's weakened economic condition. "Let's be honest, why are those players in the Championship and not the SPL?" reflected Houston. It's because a Championship player earns five times as much as one of my players is earning at Dundee United. They are playing in a highly competitive league with more resources, greater finance and bigger stadia. It's a bigger country. But critically for the players, they are earning more money. If we were on the same level as the Championship in terms of finance, they maybe wouldn't be as quick to go down to the second tier of English football. They might be happier to stay on in the SPL. I can't criticise any players who decide to go to the Championship from the SPL. I look at Paul Dixon, for example. He is playing exceptionally well right now and is probably thinking ahead to where he is going to be next season. He will want to earn five times as much as he is at Dundee United. That'll take him up to a grand a week! Seriously, I can't fault players for doing it. Morgaro Gomis, Prince Buaben and Craig Conway all left us last summer to go down to the Championship to earn really good money. I know how much they are on. I won't hold anybody back and I can't hold anybody back. I'd love them to stay in the SPL, I'd love them all still to be at United. Yes, they are leaving the SPL for a new challenge, maybe for a bit of freshness in terms of playing new teams just twice a season. But deep down, from a personal and family point of view, they are going there for the dosh as well. They have got to look after themselves. So we might be talking about more SPL players in the Scotland squad if we were in a better financial position here. Craig has asked me in the past how United players are doing, whether it was Craig Conway when he was with us, Paul Dixon, who has been playing well this season, or Garry Kenneth and Scott Robertson who have both been in squads before. I will always give him an honest answer, whether they are playing well or badly. I won't tell lies to try and get a player in the squad just for the prestige of Dundee United. Hopefully more SPL players will break into the squad. We have some good up-and-coming players in the SPL at the moment. United have got four with the under-21s this week and hopefully in the future someone like Johnny Russell will come through to be a full international. Hopefully Gary Mackay-Steven can fulfil the promise he had as a young boy, which he is starting to do. There are others, like Fraser Fyvie at Aberdeen. There are good young players in the SPL and hopefully their time will come. Houston also defended Levein's pursuit of English-born players who qualify for Scotland through the nationality of their grandparents. Prior to the withdrawals of Phil Bardsley and Matt Phillips, there were seven players in the squad eligible on that basis. "These boys have got Scottish blood in them, whether it be through their grandparents or whatever," said Houston. They work extremely hard for the team. I think every Scotsman, and I certainly do as a fan, wants their national team to win and to qualify for major tournaments. If we are going to get better quality players in this way, why not give them a chance? Let's see if they are better quality and can do better. We always have to open doors to what is available to us. Craig and Mick have done particularly well in getting some decent players into the squad who will enhance it, not just add to it. I think it will be for the better of us and hopefully results will prove that in the coming couple of years. Scottish Premier League (3) James Forrest (Celtic) Allan McGregor (Rangers) English Premier League (13) Graham Dorrans (WBA) James McArthur (Wigan) James Morrison (WBA) English Championship (6) Don Cowie (Cardiff City) Kenny Miller (Cardiff City) Barry Robson (Middlesboro)