The Bravehearts

Das habe ich mir gestern auch gedacht. I)

Chris Iwelumo eyes quick return to Scotland team after injury

Scotland manager George Burley has been told that Sunderland's Craig Gordon will miss the World Cup qualifier against Norway after the goalkeeper suffered a reaction to a summer knee operation. (The Sun)

Und McGregor noch suspendiert?

Barry Ferguson has vowed never to play for Scotland again - even if he is offered an olive branch. (Daily Express)

McCloy: Time for Burley to forgive Allan McGregor over Boozegate row

Naisy Gets Scots Call

By Andrew Dickson

Steven Naismith's excellent pre-season form has won him a recall to the Scotland squad for next week's clash with Norway.

More than two years have passed since the 22-year-old was last chosen for the full national team and his only cap came in a 2-0 win against the Faroe Islands in June 2007.

Naismith did feature in a B international win over Northern Ireland in May but while his selection then was a slight surprise, being picked this time isn't.

After a torrid time with injuries, he has returned to Murray Park this summer in sparkling form.

And thanks to good performances against Nuremberg, Wiedenbruck, PSG and Arsenal, Naisy has been rewarded with a place in the pool that will travel to Oslo.

It's a real boost for the former Kilmarnock forward, who many had written off just a few months ago.

Naismith is one of four Rangers players in the squad - and three of them are men who have only been peripheral figures on the international scene so far.

Kenny Miller is included as usual and he is joined in the group by Steven Whittaker and Neil Alexander.

Both players were standouts for Gers towards the end of last season and will be hopeful of playing in Scandinavia.

Naismith and Alexander have just four caps between them while Whittaker is yet to play for the Scots.

But if the trio continue the good form they have been showing recently, all of them will have a real chance of making themselves regulars in George Burley's team.

The manager will announce his full squad today, knowing a win for his team would be a huge step towards sealing second place in their World Cup qualifying group.

Rangers FC

Scotland squad: Alexander (Rangers), Langfield (Aberdeen), Marshall (Cardiff);
Barr (Falkirk), Berra (Wolves), G Caldwell (Celtic), S Caldwell (Burnley), Davidson (Preston), Hutton (Tottenham), McAllister (Bristol City), Whittaker (Rangers); Alexander (Burnley), Brown (Celtic), Commons (Derby), D Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Bristol City), Maloney (Celtic), McFadden (Birmingham); Clarkson (Bristol City), S Fletcher (Burnley), McCormack (Cardiff), Miller (Rangers), Naismith (Rangers).

Scotland manager George Burley says his side can still make the World Cup qualifiers even if they lose to Norway in Oslo this month. (Various)

Burnley's Steven Caldwell is dreaming of partnering brother Gary in Scotland's defence for the World Cup qualifier against Norway. (Various)

Veteran Rangers defender David Weir says it was Scotland manager George Burley's decision to leave him out of the squad to face Norway. (Daily Express)

David Weir says he will never turn his back on Scotland despite being left out of the latest squad. (Various)

Scotland winger Kris Commons has returned to action from injury, scoring in Derby's 1-1 pre-season draw with Solihull Borough. (Daily Record)

Burley's Entscheidungen sind aber schon immer wieder und wieder etwas sonderbar. Nach der peinlichen Bewertung des Vorfalls um die saufenden Spieler, die wahrlich nicht fair ablief, ist die Ausbootung von Davie Weir aufgrund seines Alters schon bemerkenswert, wenn zeitgleich ein fast 38-jähriger Graham Alexander nominiert wird. Passt zu vielen seiner nicht nachzuvollziehenden Entscheidungen der letzten Zeit, auch wenn Davie die Pause natürlich sehr gut tun wird.

So würde ich spielen:

Scotland manager George Burley is taking a major gamble on his side's World Cup hopes by leaving talisman James McFadden out of his side to face Norway, and playing Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. (Daily Record)

Norway striker John Carew says he is confident of firing his side to victory in tonight's Group Nine clash in Oslo. (Various)

Es wundert bei Burley aber nicht mehr wirklich. Seine Entscheidungen und Verhaltensweisen in den letzten Monaten waren eines Managers unwürdig.

Angeblich will er heute Abend mit Graham Alexander von Beginn an ran.

Angeblich will er wohl so spielen:

Marshall

Hutton G.Caldwell S.Caldwell Davidson

Commons Brown Alexander Fletcher McCormack

Miller

Mal sehen wie viel von dieser Aufstellung heute Abend stimmt. Grausam.