Scotland V Georgia Squads

New manager Alex McLeish has called up Graig Beattie and Shaun Maloney for the Wednesday clash against Georgia and the following fixture away to Italy.

It's a lop-sided squad with 4 'keepers, 10 defenders and only 4 forwards. Commenting on his squad he said:

"Lee McCulloch can play up front as well and there is no doubt we could have picked more strikers ... But I felt you always need more cover in midfield areas and certainly defensively. How many strikers do you put in and does it cost you to the detriment of the rest of the team? So it's difficult to put any more in."

Scottish Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Neil Alexander (Cardiff), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Iain Turner (Everton)

Defenders:
Graham Alexander (Preston), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (West Ham), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Jackie McNamara (Wolves), Graeme Murty (Reading), Gary Naysmith (Everton), Stephen Pressley (Celtic), David Weir (Rangers)

Midfielders:
Scott Brown (Hibernian), Chris Burke (Rangers), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Lee McCulloch (Wigan), Nigel Quashie (West Ham), Scott Severin (Aberdeen), Gary Teale (Derby)

Forwards:
Craig Beattie (Celtic), Kris Boyd (Rangers), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa), Kenny Miller (Celtic)

Italy V Scotland - Game On

Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier with Italy is set to go ahead at Bari's Stadio San Nicola after the stadium was last night given the green light.

There was a possibility that the match which was due to be played on March 28th could be swapped for the capital since the Bari stadium was one of many that was banned from admitting fans.

However, the Scottish FA is cautious as ever about the announcement, a spokesman said: " Until we hear directly from the Italian FA as to exactly what the situation is, it's difficult to comment."

Scotland Highest FIFA Ranking Ever

It's a fantastic testament to the previous regime that Scotland have climbed a massive 68 Fifa World rankings in the past two years and now are seen as 20th best in the world.

Even looking at the last year they've improved from 62nd place with a win over France - but how high would they get if they beat Italy in next month's Euro 2008 qualifier?

But all Scots would swap any Fifa ranking for qualification in their first tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Mcleish names first Scotland Squad

It didn't take the new Scotland manager to name his first squad for the match against ... well no-one!

Mcleish has called 30 players to a training session whilst other nations are playing friendly games.

It seems worthwhile as he can start to put his mark on the team and establish groundrules and playing styles. It'll also give the players that won't be in the next game (Pressley, Fletcher and McFadden) due to suspension a chance to get in on the act sooner.

So the squad is:

Goalkeepers Neil Alexander (Cardiff City)
Paul Gallacher (Norwich City)
Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian)
Allan McGregor (Rangers)
Defenders
Graham Alexander (Preston North End)
Russell Anderson (Aberdeen)
Gary Caldwell (Celtic)
Steven Caldwell (Sunderland)
Christian Dailly (West Ham United)
Stephen McManus (Celtic)
Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City)
Graeme Murty (Reading)
Gary Naysmith (Everton)
Robbie Neilson (Heart of Midlothian)
Steven Pressley (Celtic)
Andy Webster (Wigan Athletic/Rangers)
David Weir (Rangers)
Midfield
Barry Ferguson (Rangers)
Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
Paul Hartley (Heart of Midlothian)
Richard Hughes (Portsmouth)
Lee McCulloch (Wigan Athletic)
Ian Murray (Rangers)
Nigel Quashie (West Ham United)
Scott Severin (Aberdeen)
Gary Teale (Derby County)
Forwards
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
James McFadden (Everton)
Kenny Miller (Celtic)
Steven Thompson (Cardiff City)

Italy v Scotland 28th March

Scotland mark the half-way stage of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign against Italy in the "Eternal City".

Stadium:
The latest news is that the match will be held at Bari's San Nicola Stadium.

Rome Hotels:
Hotels.com
HostelBookers (from my recallection there's a Youth Hostel a couple of hundred yards away).
Lastminute.htm

Flights to Rome:
Glasgow to Rome
Edinburgh to Rome
Other airports in Scotland to Rome

Squad:
Awaiting details.

Scotland V Georgia 24th March

Scotland are sitting pretty - joint top of the Group B table but really need to push on against Georgia to increase their changes of beating Italy to second spot (who they meet at home on the
last day of the qualifying stages).

Book a Hotel:
Find a hotel for the match at Hotel Club or Hotels Near.

Match Squad:
We're awaiting Squad details.

Walter Smith to Job Share?

IC Scotland reports:

WALTER SMITH will be officially announced as the new Rangers manager within the next 48 hours - but in a dramatic twist MailSport can reveal he wants to stay on as Scotland boss to guide them through the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

At the momment the SFA's executive committee is considering the posibility that Walter Smith will stay on part time.

Personally, he's done a great job so far so the SFA should try and keep him involved at all costs.

Scotland Fixtures & Travel Info Euro 2008

Football association
President:John McBeth
General Secretary:David Taylor
Head coach:Walter Smith
Press Officer:Andy Mitchell
Founded:1873
UEFA Affiliation:1954
FIFA Affiliation:1910
Stadium:Hampden Park

Scotland Shop
Scotland Football Shirts
Funny Scotland T-Shirts
Scotland 3rd Football Shirts
Scotland Away Football Shirts

Qualifying Round Fixtures & Results
02.09.2006 v Faroe Islands (H) Celtic Park (Preview) W 6:0 (Review)
06.09.2006 v Lithuania (A) Kaunas - 5:30
07.10.2006 v France (H) Squad, Result: Scotland 1 - 0 France
11.10.2006 v Ukraine (A)
24.03.2007 v Georgia (H)
28.03.2007 v Italy (A)
06.06.2007 v Faroe Islands (A)
08.09.2007 v Lithuania (H) Preview - Scotland 3 Lithunia 1
12.09.2007 v France (A)
13.10.2007 v Ukraine (H)
17.10.2007 v Georgia (A)
17.11.2007 v Italy (H)

European Championship Record
1960 - Did not enter
1964 - Did not enter
1968 to 1988 - Did not qualify
1992 - Round 1
1996 - Round 1
2000 - Did not qualify
2004 - Did not qualify

News:
Darren Fletcher Concerned over Faroes

Official Site
Scottish Football Association