Main » 2008 » March » 17 » Burley calls up Berra & Fletcher
6:07:37 PM
Burley calls up Berra & Fletcher

Scotland manager George Burley has given call-ups to Hearts defender Christophe Berra and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher in his first squad.

Sunderland's Russell Anderson has also been recalled for the friendly match at home to Croatia on Wednesday 26 March.

Rangers' veteran defender David Weir has been left out because of his club's busy domestic schedule.

"I think with a friendly game we can give him a little break and look at other players," said Burley.

Interview: Scotland manager George Burley

Weir won his 61st cap in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy in November.

And Burley indicated that there was every chance of the 37-year-old adding to that tally.

"It is fairly clear with the amount of games Davie has played this season and his age, he has done incredibly well," said the manager.

"But to ask him to play another game (would be too much), and for Scotland's point of view we have got to look at other options as well.

"But I certainly haven't ruled him out for the World Cup qualifiers. He is still playing exceptionally well.

"At his age he is not going to play forever but he has done terrifically well for Rangers and Scotland of late.

Injured West Bromich Albion striker Craig Beattieis the only other player to drop out of the previous squad.


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What do you make of George Burley's first squad?

Hearts captain Berra has been capped up to B squad level and was named in former manager Alex McLeish's full squad to face South Africa at Pittodrie in August.

However, on that occasion the defender was forced to withdraw through injury.

Hibernian's Fletcher has featured regularly in the Under-20 and Under-21 sides and will celebrate his 21st birthday on the day of the game.

The striker has been in fine form recently and scored his 14th goal of the season in the weekend win over Kilmarnock.

"Steven is one of the leading goalscorers in the SPL - he has got talent," said Burley.

"He is a player I have admired for a long time.

"With his quality, he is another youngster who deserves his opportunity in the full squad."

Scotland squad:
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)

Category: Scotland National Team | Views: 1207 | Added by: itwp | Rating: 0.0/0
Total comments: 1
1 Ieyla  
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Everyones got an opinion..and the only two voecis we aren't allowed to hear are from the players themselves.Was it fair to discipline 2 players whilstletting another 5 go Scot-free and 4 of them played against Iceland.There has been countless situations in the past with players misbehaving..the England teams famous chair incident..Eric Cantona actually assaulting a fanbecause he ddin't like what the fan was saying to him.These are just two examples..did England drop their players for the Euros? No! Did the England players repay the mangers faith ON the field during the Euros?..a big resounding yes to that.Cantona was put up as some sort of hero for lashing out at some daft guy in the crowd..yet Ferguson and McGregor have been banned for life for showing petulance against a tabloid newspaerscameraman.Dress it up all you want..these guys have been treated as if they are criminals.An 8 page spread in the S#n Tabloid about the demise of Ferguson..and this was before he stuck two fingers up at cameramen.You see the rules are.. that newspapers with no morals are allowed to print what they want about you..you are supposed to accept that..you are suppose to not react to 40,000 fans booing you ddespite giving 10 years service to the national team for NO pay.Perhaps Ferguson should have took a swing at the cameraman..and like Cantona he would have been seen as some sort of hero!Not in this sad twisted little country of ours I'm afraid.

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