New boys Steven Fletcher and Christophe Berra have been named in the Scotland squad, but veteran David Weir is a notable omission…
Scotland boss George Burley has named his first Scotland squad ahead of the Hampden Park friendly with Euro 2008 bound Croatia on Wednesday March 26.
Former Southampton, Hearts and Ipswich boss Burley had previously named a safe squad for a get-together, but the new 26-man squad hints at the future.
Hibs striker Steven Fletcher has caught the eye of bigger clubs this term, and cemented his place with a strike against Kilmarnock at the weekend. He will turn 21 on the day of the Croatia game, hoping to celebrate his birthday with a first senior cap, having previously starred at U19 and U21 levels.
Meanwhile, French-born Hearts skipper Christophe Berra has also been rewarded with his first senior call-up. The 23-year-old has shown great maturity in skippering the turmoil-filled SPL outfit this season.
37-year-old Rangers defender David Weir makes way for Berra - the only major surprise. The veteran was a key member of the side who narrowly missed out on qualifying for Austria and Switzerland. He has been consistent for Rangers this season and recently expressed an interest in playing on in the Scotland set-up.
Injured on-loan Preston striker Craig Beattie misses out, but Sunderland stopper Russell Anderson has improved form and fitness on loan at Plymouth, earning a recall.
Burley’s call for his players to gain first team football seems to have worked, with Darren Fletcher enjoying more playing time with Manchester Utd and James McFadden winning a move to Birmingham, leaving his fringe status at Everton behind him.
Scotland, no.14 in the FIFA rankings, are preparing for a tricky World Cup qualifying group that also includes the Netherlands.
Goalkeepers
Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
David Marshall (Norwich City)
Allan McGregor (Rangers)
Defenders
Graham Alexander (Burnley)
Russell Anderson (Sunderland)
Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian)
Gary Caldwell (Celtic)
Christian Dailly (Rangers)
Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur)
James McEveley (Derby County)
Stephen McManus (Celtic)
Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United)
Midfielders
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Barry Ferguson (Rangers)
Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
Paul Hartley (Celtic)
Lee McCulloch (Rangers)
Stephen Pearson (Derby County)
Barry Robson (Celtic)
Gary Teale (Derby County)
Forwards
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Steven Fletcher (Hibernian)
James McFadden (Birmingham City)
Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa)
Kenny Miller (Derby County)
Garry O’Connor (Birmingham City)
Duncan Robertson, Goal.com
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