Rangers stars dominate Scotland squad
Some new faces as well for new boss Levein
New Scotland boss Craig Levein has finally picked his first squad for the forthcoming match against the Czech Republic. Not only will it be the former Dundee United and Hearts boss first foray into international management, it will be a precursor to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Scotland were drawn alongside the Czech Republic (not to mention current European Championship holder Spain) so this match could lay down a marker for Scottish progress. If we win. If we lose, it will clearly have no bearing on the tournament itself!
Sorry, it’s probably best to move away from the negativity that surrounded the Burley reign and if you can’t be upbeat before a ball is kicked, what is the point in turning up?
It will also be the first time the national team turns out in its new adidas kit.
The squad for the match will be:
Goalkeepers
Neil Alexander (Rangers)
Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
David Marshall (Cardiff City)
Defenders
Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur – loan to Sunderland)
Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton W.)
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
Paul Dixon (Dundee United)
Garry Kenneth (Dundee United)
Lee Wallace (Heart of Midlothian)
Andy Webster (Rangers – loan to D United)
Steven Whittaker (Rangers)
Midfield
Charlie Adam (Blackpool)
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion)
Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
Paul Hartley (Bristol City)
Lee McCulloch (Rangers)
James McFadden (Birmingham City)
Barry Robson (Middlesbrough)
Kevin Thomson (Rangers)
Forwards
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Steven Fletcher (Burnley)
Chris Iwelumo (Wolverhampton W. – loan to Bristol City)
Kenny Miller (Rangers)
There is more of a Dundee United contingent than previously would have been included, which is to be expected but it is not as if any of the players are not worthy of consideration for a cap. We are not too convinced with Garry Kenneth and would maybe have tried David Goodwillie up front but the Tangerine selection is about right.
Of course, the headlines will focus on the returning players and those who haven’t returned. Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd are welcomed back into the fold. McCulloch has clearly settled the family issues that saw him retire from international football but the midfielder has performed well for Rangers this season.
As for Boyd, it would be madness to leave him out of the squad and hopefully Craig Levein can get the best out of the striker.
Barry Ferguson remains unselected but he may well return for competitive matches and goalkeeper Alan McGregor has not been included, although he probably has other matters to contend with at the moment.
So, a new beginning and here’s to a successful campaign towards 2012.
Are you happy with the squad?
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im glad he has brought in the young full back dixon he is a player i admire . not a bad squad on paper but its on the park that counts heres hoping.
We had great squads on paper in 78 and 82….fun times though.
If Levein can bring his United work ethic and spirit, he should be able to achieve a lot with this squad of players. As you say, heres hoping.
Its about time a Scotland manager had the balls to pick more Rangers players for his squads. Well Done Mr Levein, the country wants the best team on the park, and MOST of our countries best players play at Ibrox.
On this squad, i think the midfield looks very poor, not much football brains in there and not much energy and legs.
We will no doubt lose against the Czechs, so i ask, has Levein put a few players in there to lose his first game, coz he was never going to win it, and here he has scapegoats to drop for his next squad, when the games get slightly easier? Case in point-iwelumo, marshall, berra, dorrans, s brown, hartley, robson, adam, all not good enough.
What a team we will have when we can get McGregor, Ferguson, S Naismith, Maloney, Snodgrass and the like in the squad. Proper footballers.
Last question, friendlies not good enough for Barry Backwards? He thinks he will sit this one out but he will be back for Lithuania etc etc? Coward IMO.
Good Luck Scotland and Good Luck Rangers’ next manager.
74 was the best squad easily