Priorities of exiled Celtic striker Čvančara called out by Czechia boss

Celtic's Tomáš Čvančara celebrates. Pic: Steve Welsh/PA Wire.

Controversy shrouded Czechia’s squad announcement for their World Cup playoff date against Ireland, with Celtic striker Tomáš Čvančara the notable omission.

The 25-year-old striker has hit form since being signed by Martin O’Neill from Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan in January, scoring in Saturday’s comeback win over Motherwell.

His revival sparked calls for a recall to the national team he last featured for 18 months ago but new manager Miroslav Koubek cited a recent interview in Scotland as the reason for overlooking him.

Top scorer Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen is a certain starter in attack on Thursday week in Prague against the Irish.

However, veteran of the domestic scene Koubek has opted for three strikers from the Czechia league to complete his attacking array.

"He (Čvančara) has stated in recent weeks that the national team is not a priority for him,” the 74-year-old pointedly noted when unveiling his 25-man squad.

“I say that, for me as a coach, it is a priority to take players for whom the national team is a priority.” 

He went to outline the inclusion criteria he adopted for a series that will see the winner of the semi-final face either Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31 for a spot at the World Cup in June.

“We have chosen players who are the right soldiers for this war," came his rallying cry.

He’s yet to reveal who will lead out his artillery at the Fortuna Stadium, home of Slavia Prague.

The association and team are still dealing with the fallout from the November series, in which players had their match fees withheld for not clapping fans following a facile victory over Gibraltar.

Tension had seeped in from the 2-1 defeat in the Faroe Islands a month earlier, costing them a shot at direct qualification and Ivan Hasek his job.

Tomás Soucek, as captain, was ultimately held responsible for the snub by the Czechia FA, who promptly stripped him of the armband.

Pavel Nedvěd, the national legend now operating as sporting director, said a decision on the new captain had been arrived at on a joint basis with the boss he appointed in December.

"We have decided but we won't say," Koubek outlined, his face carrying a grin.

“The selected candidate already knows the final decision - I won't dispute that – but the players will be the first to know.” 

Former Juventus midfielder Nedvěd added: “It was not done through ballots like in the past when it was sometimes done that way.

“We decided who would be the captain and appointed his deputy.

"There was some consultation with the leading candidates.

"I've been here a little longer than the coach so I've sensed the situation in the team. You can feel how it works and who is the leader in it. The decision was quite simple and clear.”