Kieran Tierney and John McGinn called up to Scotland squad by Gordon Strachan

Gordon Strachan has named youngsters Kieran Tierney and John McGinn in one of two Scotland squads for the friendly fixtures against the Czech Republic and Denmark at the end of March.

The Scotland boss has picked two different squads of 19 for the games, with first time calls-ups for the likes of Tierney and McGinn, as well as Nottingham Forrest midfielder Oliver Burke, Brighton's Jamie Murphy, Leeds United defender Liam Cooper and Aberdeen's Kenny McLean.

There is no place in either squad for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes but there was a surprise call-up for Tony Watt, who is on loan at Blackburn from Charlton. He did not feature when called up previously by Strachan for a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

Scotland travel to Prague to take on the Czech Republic on March 24 before welcoming the Danes to Hampden five days later.

Left-back Tierney, 18, has become an established part of the first-team squad at Celtic this season after making his first senior appearance towards the end of the last campaign.

The 21-year-old McGinn has been an integral part of the Hibernian side this season and has been rewarded for his performances with his first call-up to the senior national squad.

Despite the club being 12 points clear at the top of the Championship, there were no call-ups for any Rangers players in either squad.

Steven Fletcher, Charlie Mulgrew, Steven Whittaker, Ikechi Anya and Grant Hanley have been named in both squads.

There were also returns to the senior set-up for Scott Bain, Barry Bannan, Kevin McDonald, Matt Phillips, Robert Snodgrass and Watt, who will all be in the squad for the match at the Stadion Letna in Prague.

Gordon Strachan said naming two different squads was important as it was a way of resting some players at a crucial stage of the season and gave him the opportunity to see others up close in training and in games.

"At this time of the year, I've been there myself as a player and a manager, it is hard work," he said. "I think no matter how much you want to play for your country and it is an honour, you have to look after yourself. This is the best way of going about it - it gives me the opportunity to see more players as well."

The Scotland boss said this way he could offer game-time to those not involved with their clubs and cut down on those travelling on a flight across Europe when they may not play.

"The main thought here is to protect these players to make sure they are right and don't pick up any injuries, they are fresh for their clubs, they are also fresh for us, instead of playing two games that might be too tiring for them to come back off a plane," he added.

"What we will do is come back off the plane against the Czech Republic and a new squad will be waiting for us as we arrive and will be training the day after. There will not be any hours we will miss out; I can start working with the new squad right away, talking about what we are trying to do."

Scotland squad to face Czech Republic

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Dundee) Allan McGregor (Hull)   

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich), Gordon Greer (Brighton), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Hull), Steven Whittaker (Norwich)   

Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Fletcher (West Brom), Kevin McDonald (Wolves), Kenny McLean (Aberdeen), Matt Phillips (QPR), Robert Snodgrass (Hull)   

Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Marseille), Steven Naismith (Norwich), Tony Watt (Blackburn)

Scotland squad to face Denmark

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), David Marshall (Cardiff)   

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Gordon Greer (Brighton), Grant Hanley (Blackburn), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Steven Whittaker (Norwich)   

Midfielders: Liam Bridcutt (Leeds), Scott Brown (Celtic), Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest), James Forrest (Celtic), John McGinn (Hibernian), Jamie Murphy (Brighton), Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth), Ikechi Anya (Watford)

Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Marseille), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby)