Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher admits being dropped earlier this season was a shock.
Fletcher was speaking to the Telegraph ahead of Scotland's European Championship qualifier with Ireland and the friendly with England.
He said: "I was a bit shocked with the gaffer leaving me out - he seems to think it was a genius move now.
"It's been good since then. I just want to play in every game. The gaffer knows that. I had a word with him when I went back to training.
"I was frustrated to start with - anyone would be - but I just worked hard and gave him no choice. He couldn't leave me out."
