Scotland squad - Whittaker, Naisy selected

[Rangers Football Club 0]

NAISMITH and Whittaker included in Scotland squad to face Faroes

 

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[Gazza_8 233]

Dundee United striker David Goodwillie has joined Aston Villa's Barry Bannan and Liverpool's Danny Wilson in receiving debut Scotland call-ups.

 

Bannan and Wilson's inclusion had been expected for Tuesday's friendly against the Faroe Islands in Aberdeen.

 

But Scotland coach Craig Levein has included Goodwillie in his 20-man squad after the striker's form this season.

 

Keepers Cammy Bell, of Kilmarnock, and Blackpool's Matt Gilks are the other uncapped players in the squad.

 

Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon returns after injury for the friendly match at Pittodrie on Tuesday, while Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith are the only Rangers players in the squad following a hectic schedule for the Scottish champions.

 

Ibrox manager Walter Smith said on Tuesday that he hoped Levein would avoid selecting his players to allow them time to focus on domestic and European competition.

 

Derby County midfielder Kris Commons, Cardiff winger Chris Burke and Hearts striker Kevin Kyle return to the squad.

 

The inclusion of Wilson was expected, despite the 18-year-old only making one appearance for Liverpool since his �£2m summer transfer from Rangers, but goodwilie's eight goals for Dundee United improved his chances of selection.

 

Levein had also hinted at a call-up for 20-year-old Bannan earlier this month in a bid to experiment in Scotland's only international ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic at Hampden next September.

 

Bannan has been a regular with Scotland Under-21s and has broken into the Villa first team this season, making seven appearances.

 

Wilson has only played for the Under-21s on five occasions but is now in line for a step up to the seniors after he and Bannan were absent from Billy Stark's squad for their friendly with Northern Ireland on 17 November.

 

He rejected the offer of a new contract at Ibrox and moved to Anfield in the summer in a deal that could rise to �£5m depending on appearances.

 

So far, he has been restricted to one outing despite Liverpool's difficult start to the season under new manager Roy Hodgson.

 

Scotland host the Faroes looking to build on an acclaimed performance despite going down 3-2 to world champions Spain at Hampden in their Euro 2012 qualifier in October.

 

The Faroes will themselves arrive in Aberdeen on the back of a creditable 1-1 draw at home to an in-form Northern Ireland.

 

 

Scotland (from):

 

Goalkeepers:

 

Bell

Gilks

Gordon.

 

Defenders:

 

Bardsley

Berra

G Caldwell

Hutton

Whittaker

Wilson

 

Midfielders:

 

Adam

Bannan

Burke

Commons

Dorrans

D Fletcher

Morrison

Naismith

 

Forwards:

 

Goodwillie

Kyle

Mackie.

 

Some common sense exercised by Levein.

[Super_Ally 0]

Would rather Naismith had been rested than McGregor tbh. Keepers tend to need less rest dont they.

 

Might also allow Gordon to steal his number 1 jersey back.

[stewarty 1,998]

Would rather Naismith had been rested than McGregor tbh. Keepers tend to need less rest dont they.

 

Might also allow Gordon to steal his number 1 jersey back.

 

If McGregor continues with recent form, there is no way Gordon should get the numbe

[Totti 0]

Christ that is a pish squad

[Super_Ally 0]

Christ that is a pish squad

 

Looking at it Naismith has to be in there as a forward and not a midfielder right?

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Bannan play. Looks a find at Villa.

[Totti 0]

I'd imagine so, there's a lack of strikers and a plethora of attacking midfielders and wingers.

 

I'd struggle to pick a half decent side out of that squad. It looks more like a championship mid table squad.

 

At least in previous times we generally had a handful of top players and some pretty decent ones

[Zappa 0]

How many players out of that lot play in Scotland? 5 or 6 eh?

[metlika 0]

Don't get why Naismith or Whittaker are there tbh. Would have preferred McGregor and someone else Broadfoot? Naismith has played a lot of matches as has Whittaker. Might be a sign Whittaker is for the drop?

[metlika 0]

I'd imagine so, there's a lack of strikers and a plethora of attacking midfielders and wingers.

 

I'd struggle to pick a half decent side out of that squad. It looks more like a championship mid table squad.

 

At least in previous times we generally had a handful of top players and some pretty decent ones

 

Agree with you about the lack of forwards, fuck me its the Faroes are we going to be playing a 4-6 again?