Hull forward Shaun Maloney has been omitted from the Scotland squad for their opening World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Ross McCormack is also absent from the squad, announced by the Scottish Football Association yesterday, with Steven Fletcher, Leigh Griffiths, Steven Naismith and Chris Martin the selected strikers.

Barrie McKay is included but there is no place for his Rangers team-mate Lee Wallace. Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald and Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton are the two uncapped players in the squad for the away game on September 4.

Maloney, one of the most impressive performers in Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, came off the bench to score in Hull’s Premier League win at Swansea on Saturday but manager Gordon Strachan does not feel he is properly match-fit.

As well as McKay, Strachan has picked three other players who have one cap after recently being promoted from the Scotland under-age teams – Kieran Tierney, Callum Paterson and John McGinn.

Strachan's squad

Goalkeepers: Gordon (Celtic), Hamilton (Hearts), Marshall (Cardiff).

Defenders: Berra (Ipswich), Greer (Blackburn Rovers), Hanley (Newcastle), Hutton (Aston Villa), Martin (Norwich), Paterson (Hearts), Robertson (Hull), Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Anya (Watford), Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Burke (Nottingham Forest), Fletcher (West Bromwich Albion), Forrest (Celtic), McArthur (Crystal Palace), McDonald (Fulham), McGinn (Hibernian), McKay (Rangers), Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Ritchie (Newcastle), Snodgrass (Hull City).

Forwards: Fletcher (Sheffield Wed.), Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Naismith (Norwich).

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