Steve Clarke has responded to Steven Gerrard following the row over Ryan Jack's injury in the last international break - and admits communication could have been better.
The midfielder was recalled to the Scotland squad for last month's fixtures, but picked up an injury and couldn't feature against either Russia or Belgium.
Gerrard complained that Jack had been asked to do an 11k session two days after playing in Rangers' derby defeat to Celtic despite a recurring knee injury, accusing the national team of being "careless" with his player.
Today Clarke announced his squad for the games with Russia and San Marino, with Jack included once again. But the national manager took a dig at Gerrard, claiming: "It would have been better if it had been dealt with privately."
The Scotland manager said: "I understand Steven's point of view, you send a player to an international camp and he comes back injured so you're obviously going to be upset.
"It was unfortunate that Ryan picked up the injury and he missed a Rangers game, thankfully he's back now and he's playing well, and he deserves his selection again.
"It's not so much an annoyance, but with me, my staff and the player it was probably a lack of communication, so we have to work on that, we have to be better on that in the future and hopefully we will be.
"Within our staff we have to make sure we address all the issues and hopefully it won’t happen again.
"I haven't spoken to Steven, Steven said what he had to say in the press. Obviously I'll speak to Ryan when we meet up in camp.
"The communication is normally pretty decent, obviously I'm learning on my feet and I think communication with the club is really important, because the players belong to the clubs.
"We have to look after them when we have them and hopefully send them back fit and well.
"It would have been better if it had been dealt with privately."
