McFadden was substituted at half-time in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualification match against Liechtenstein in September 2010, and was criticised by manager Craig Levein after the game. McFadden suffered a serious injury soon afterwards. He criticised Levein in February 2012 for describing him as "lazy". In March 2013 new Scotland manager Gordon Strachan said that he would consider McFadden for selection, but noted that he needed to play regularly at club level, having not done so in the previous two seasons.