FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Coach Craig Brown named Celtic pair Tosh McKinlay and Darren Jackson as surprise call-ups to the Scotland squad on Wednesday in his 22-man squad for friendlies against Colombia in New York on May 23 and the USA in Washington on May 30. Eoin Jess of Aberdeen or Rangers star Ally McCoist are not included. Jackson is preferred to city rival McCoist even though he was not in the Parkhead squad that clinched the title on Saturday. McKinlay wins his place after two impressive performances for the B team against Wales and Norway in the last couple of months. Barring injury, these are the players who will represent Scotland in the World Cup next month, with the opening game taking place on June 10 when they face holders Brazil.
Celtic are heavily represented with five other players in the squad-Tom Boyd, Craig Burley, Simon Donnelly, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara all booking their ticket to the world Cup finals. Aberdeen’s central defender Derek Whyte is also included after looking impressive in the 1-1 draw against Finland last month. Brown has also reaffirmed Wimbledon’s Neil Sullivan as the third choice goal keeper, leaving Celtic Jonathan Gould disappointed. Leicester central defender Matt Elliott, who has yet to figure in a winning Scotland side, is also booked in for the trip to America. Scotland boss Brown was reluctant to talk about why he had left out McCoist. “I would rather talk about the players I have picked,” he said. “I believe I have chosen the appropriate squad for the tournament.”Some players are in the squad as back-up but I’m also looking forward to the Euro 2000 championships.”
Brown believes that veteran defender McKinlay still has a lot to offer the squad. “I’ve had good reports about him,” said the national team boss. “He has been training well and is seeing a specialist. We can use him down the left side and he could be vital to the team.” Brown also sought the advice of Alan Hodgkinson about which goalkeeper to take apart from Jim Leighton or Andy Goram. He said: “Alan’s advice was that he felt Neil should go. He has never let us down.” The squad leave for America from Glasgow next Wednesday.
Scotland squad to face Colombia on May 23 and USA on May 30:
Andy Goram (Rangers), Jim Leighton (Aberdeen), Neil Sullivan (Wimbledon), Tommy Boyd (Celtic), Colin Calderwood (Tottenham), Christian Dailly (Derby), Matt Elliott (Leicester), Colin Hendry (Blackburn), Michael Weir (Hearts), Derek Whyte (Aberdeen), Tosh McKinlay (Celtic), Craig Burley (Celtic), John Collins (Monaco), Scott Gemmill (Forest), Paul Lambert (Celtic), Billy McKinlay (Blackburn), Jackie McNamara (Celtic), Scott Booth (Borussia Dortmund), Simon Donnelly (Celtic), Gordon Durie (Rangers), Kevin Gallacher (Blackburn), Darren Jackson (Celtic).