Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has shared the thoughts behind his squad selection for the World Cup qualifier against England.

A win against Slovenia last time out kept slim qualification hopes alive and Strachan's side are looking to build on that with a positive result at Hampden against their oldest rivals.

Five players have been drafted in to the squad with six dropping out, and the national team boss shared his thinking on some of those choices.

Aberdeen midfielder McLean and Brighton attacker Murphy both made a return to the squad after impressive seasons with Strachan saying that a recent Premiership match was key in selecting the former.

"I've seen Kenny recently in a wonderful game, the Aberdeen-Celtic match, the best 45 minutes of football I have seen this season," he said.

"And the 90 minutes were terrific. Throughout that Kenny had an excellent game.

"And the results at Aberdeen have been fantastic. They have had a good, strong finish to the season."

Murphy, who is uncapped but was called up to the squad for friendlies last year, has been part of a Brighton team that has just sealed promotion to the English Premier League for the first time in their history.

"We thought about that the last game, people who were feeling good about themselves," said Strachan

"They bring that positivity to the squad."

McGregor's was tipped for a call-up after recent stellar form despite the Celtic midfielder not having been part of the squad before.

Though McGregor has been a key part of Celtic's unbeaten domestic season so far, it hasn't been enough to take him to Hampden in Scotland colours, with midfield being the hardest area of the squad to break into..

"I think everyone knows that's where we are strong, and that's where you need to be strong these days," Strachan said.

"There is a lot of other midfield players that I have seen recently that you would think, if it wasn't so strong, they would be in the squad as well. Kevin McDonald at Fulham has had an excellent season.

"A lot of lads in that area are just unfortunate we are very, very strong in that area, which showed in the last game against Slovenia, we were strong and full of enthusiasm and know-how in there."

While McGregor couldn't force his way into the squad another young player was being eased out of it temporarily.

Burke will be drafted into the Under-20 squad for the prestigious Toulon tournament with the national team boss putting his development first.

Strachan said: "Oliver started a game just there for the first time in a long, long time. I think, maybe unfairly, our expectation of him, myself included, is to ask him to produce the things we think he can produce with a lack of games behind him.

"It's very unfair on him because of the price tag, that he never put there, of £13m. That price isn't big in today's market. There's people in the Championship going for £11m that don't get a game.

"I thought the expectation on him, even when he's going to come on as sub, is a bit much for somebody who's only started 23 games in his whole career."

He added: "We feel that the Toulon tournament would be better for him. To get three games in a short period of time so he can breath and enjoy himself without too much pressure.

"Every time he steps on the pitch here and every time he speaks there's a lot of pressure so I don't think that's being fair to Oliver.

"He's going to be a top, top player and all he needs is games."

One decision that surprised fans was the inclusion of four goalkeepers in the squad and Jack Hamilton being recalled despite being dropped by Hearts.

There are no restrictions on the size of the preliminary squad and Strachan explained that Hamilton was called up as injury cover.

He said: "David Marshall spoke to me about three weeks ago and said 'I've had a bit of a problem with an ongoing injury' so really it's just to make sure that David is OK. Jack knows that and there's no problem."