Wednesday 29 February 2012

Mulgrew Makes Scotland Debut



Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew will earn his first Scotland cap after being named in Craig Levein's starting line-up for the friendly in Slovenia.

He and Russell Martin are at full-back, with captain Gary Caldwell and Christophe Berra in the centre.

James McArthur, Charlie Adam and James Morrison are in central midfield, with James Forrest and Jamie Mackie likely to be in support of a single striker.

That will be Craig Mackail-Smith, with Allan McGregor continuing in goal.

Kenny Miller has been rested following his exertions during Cardiff City's Carling Cup final defeat by Liverpool after extra-time and penalties on Sunday.

QPR's Mackie could partner Brighton striker Mackail-Smith should Levein decide to adopt a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, with West Brom's Morrison out wide.

Also in Miller's absence, Caldwell will captain Scotland for the first time from the start of a game.

Liverpool's Adam also featured at Wembley, as did Cardiff midfielder Don Cowie.

However, Levein said: "Kenny, in particular, I will be a little more careful with.

"He put an awful lot of work into the game on Sunday - I thought was fantastic.

"I've got three players who are very tired, as you can imagine, after the game, but Kenny's the one - he's into his 30s - and I'll be more careful with him than I will with the other two."

Indeed, Adam will start in midfield along with in-form Morrison and McArthur, despite the Wigan Athletic midfielder having been a late replacement in the squad for Celtic's Scott Brown.

Levein was also forced into altering his plans following injuries to Aston Villa's Alan Hutton and Sunderland's Phil Bardsley.

Bristol City's Richard Foster had been a late addition to the travelling party as cover, but Mulgrew will debut at left-back and Martin earns a second cap on the right.

"It was disappointing to lose two important players in Alan Hutton and Phil Bardsley," said the coach.

"The exciting thing for me is that the two replacements, Russell Martin, who plays in the Premiership with Norwich, and Charlie Mulgrew at Celtic, who is at the top of his game just now.

"And what an opportunity for them to come and show they are worthy of a starting place.

"I wanted to bring someone else in as cover and Ricky is perfect for that because he can play both right and left back."

McGregor has been named in goal despite the continuing uncertainty about players' jobs at Rangers, with the club's administrators poised to announce job cuts.

"He's had a few issues through the years but has always managed to turn up here and be focussed on his job," said Levein.

"I have no fears for him at all. He is a strong character."

Caldwell will be making his 47th appearance for Scotland and admitted it would be a special night leading out the team, with Miller on the bench and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher sidelined through illness.

"I've never started the game as captain," he said.

"Obviously Fletch is the captain and Kenny is the vice-captain, so it is an honour to get it.

"But they are obviously the men in possession and I am 100% behind them, but to get it for one night will be special."

Scotland team to face Slovenia : McGregor, Martin, Mulgrew, Caldwell, Berra, McArthur, Adam, Morrison, Forrest, Mackie, Mackail-Smith.

Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Allan McGregor (Rangers) Craig Gordon (Sunderland) Matt Gilks (Blackpool)
Defenders: Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic) Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) Russell Martin (Norwich City) Richard Foster (Bristol City)
Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Liverpool) Barry Bannan (Aston Villa) Don Cowie (Cardiff City) Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion) James Forrest (Celtic) Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion) Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United) James McArthur (Wigan)
Forwards: David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers) Kenny Miller (Cardiff City) Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers) Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton and Hove Albion)