Walter Smith was bemused by Robert Douglas's ankle injury.
Scotland boss Walter Smith has admitted that he thought goalkeeper Robert Douglas was joking when he told him that he could not be included in the squad after slipping down the stairs.Smith rang Douglas to query his absence from his selectable players, and only then realised that the excuse was genuine.
"Rab slipped on the stairs at home and damaged his ankle ligament," said Smith. "He will be out for two or three weeks.
"You can't legislate for Rab's [injury] and unfortunately he'll miss out on the two matches.
"I realised Rab was serious when we spoke on the phone.
"I don't think he would have used that as an excuse - he could have thought of a better one than that!"
Douglas' replacement is Aberdeen's Ryan Esson.
"Ryan came with us as a late call-up in the summer and also in the last couple of international games.
"He deserves his call-up with some consistent performances for Aberdeen this season.
"It will be an opportunity for him to come in and get involved as he has done recently."
