Weir to return to for Scotand

[ian1964 10,457]

David Weir has put patriotism ahead of wounded pride by answering the call-up for Scotland's final shot at World Cup salvation - and could yet be partnered in the heart of defence by Stephen McManus.

 

The veteran Rangers star, omitted by boss George Burley from the squad which crashed 4-0 in Norway, will return for the must-win double-header against Macedonia and Holland.

 

And so desperate is Burley for experienced defensive recruits - as he seeks to salvage the nation's disastrous qualifying campaign - that he will consider playing McManus alongside his Old Firm rival, if he can overcome the ankle injury which has kept him sidelined for the start of the season.

 

The Scotland coach could also name Craig Gordon in his squad today after his No1 goalkeeper marked his return from a knee injury by playing for Sunderland in last night's 4-1 Carling Cup win at Norwich.

 

McManus, having made steady progress on his own road to recovery, played for 75 minutes in a bounce game last week.

 

He is due to play in another closed-doors fixture this week and has an outside chance of being involved in the SPL clash with Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.

 

Burley is due to have further discussions with Celtic boss Tony Mowbray before making a late call. However, as he prepares for the home games with Macedonia and Holland on September 5 and 9, Burley will be relieved that Weir has agreed to come back for the conclusion of a crisis-hit campaign.

Craig Gordon

 

Fit again: Craig Gordon could be named in the squad after returning from injury to play for Sunderland

 

Gary Caldwell is suspended for the Macedonia game after being red-carded during the defeat in Oslo, while brother Steven is out, despite Burnley boss Owen Coyle saying he expects him to recover from a groin injury.

 

Weir was disappointed to be excluded for the Norway tie and there were rumours that the 39-year-old, who famously retired from international duty during the Berti Vogts era, would spurn any SOS from Burley. But Sportsmail understands that, following a telephone conversation with Burley, Weir is ready to step into the breach at Hampden on Saturday week.

 

The pair had previously agreed that Weir would be called up only when he was likely to play, avoiding the prospect of him spending time away from home without being used.

 

With a Caldwell brothers partnership now ruled out for the Macedonia game, Weir is guaranteed to start in the must-win match against the team directly above us in Group Nine.

 

Burley will have been encouraged to see Gordon make his long-awaited return to action last night. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce rested Marton Fulop after an unconvincing display against Blackburn last Saturday and watched the 9million Scot make a number of good saves against Paul Lambert's League One side. Despite having only trained fully for a week, Gordon could yet feature in the Premier League trip to Stoke this Saturday in his bid to win the No1 jersey back from his rival.

 

Burley would have no hesitation in putting a fully-fit and confident Gordon straight back into his team at the expense of David Marshall and Neil Alexander.

 

Burley travelled to watch Birmingham City's 0-0 draw with Stoke last Saturday but, while James McFadden remains a key player for the international side, striker Garry O'Connor will not be called upon this time around.

 

Scotland must beat both Macedonia and Holland to clinch second place in Group Nine - but even that might not be enough to merit a play-off spot as one of the eight best-placed runners-up.

 

With the nation's chances of a place at South Africa fading fast, Burley has been told that his position as Scotland boss will come under review at the conclusion of the qualifying campaign.

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1208810/Weir-ready-return-fold-Scots-prepare-crunch-World-Cup-games.html#ixzz0PAJ1VhPi

Edited August 25, 2009 by ian1964

[Super_Ally 0]

Despite Boyd not being picked as he wasn't playing regularly for his club (even though he was) the number of players who aren't playing regular club football and still getting picked grows:

 

Gordon

Fletcher

McFadden

Hartley

Iwelumo

 

McManus?

Gordon again?

 

If you weren't such an incompetent, alcoholic arse you could have the best striker in Scotland available for must-win games.

[Gazza_8 233]

Gordon isn't number 1 for Sunderland.

[Gazza_8 233]

David Weir and Kevin Kyle have been recalled to the Scotland squad for next month's must-win World Cup qualifiers with Macedonia and Holland.

 

Number one choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon also returns, having recovered from a lengthy injury lay-off.

 

Stephen McManus is included but is yet to play a game for Celtic this season, while Steven Caldwell and Christophe Berra make it despite fitness worries.

 

Ross McCormack, Barry Robson and Chris Iwelumo are ruled out with injuries.

 

With Gary Caldwell suspended for the 5 September clash with Macedonia and the injury concerns surrounding his brother Steven, McManus and Berra, manager George Burley has called upon the experience of 39-year-old Weir.

 

The Rangers defender won the last of his 63 caps in the 0-0 draw with Norway at Hampden last October, his only appearance in this World Cup qualifying campaign.

 

Should he feature in either game, Weir will become the oldest outfield player to represent his country since Jimmy McMenemy in 1920.

 

The absence of forwards Iwelumo and McCormack has paved the way for Kilmarnock's Kyle to add his considerable height to Burley's attacking options.

 

The 28-year-old has not featured for his country since 2004 but has discovered a new lease of life at Rugby Park.

 

The former Sunderland and Coventry striker has scored 10 goals in 14 appearances for the Ayrshire side.

 

Gordon made his comeback from a four-month spell on the sidelines as Sunderland swept Norwich aside on Monday night, meaning Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield drops out of the 25-man squad.

 

A crushing 4-0 defeat in Norway earlier this month has left Scotland's hopes of qualifying through the play-offs hanging in the balance.

 

Anything less than three points against Macedonia would extinguish them altogether.

 

Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against FYR Macedonia (5 September) and Holland (9 September) at Hampden Park:

 

Gordon (Sunderland)

N Alexander (Rangers)

Marshall (Cardiff)

 

Barr (Falkirk)

McManus (Celtic)

Berra (Wolves)

G Caldwell (Celtic)

S Caldwell (Burnley)

Davidson (Preston)

Hutton (Tottenham)

McAllister (Bristol City)

Whittaker (Rangers)

Weir (Rangers)

G Alexander (Burnley)

 

Brown (Celtic)

Commons (Derby)

D Fletcher (Manchester United)

Hartley (Bristol City)

McFadden (Birmingham)

Maloney (Celtic)

 

Clarkson (Bristol City)

S Fletcher (Burnley)

Kyle (Kilmarnock)

Miller (Rangers)

Naismith (Rangers).

 

Hmmmm. Why does Clarkson keep getting picked? Same goes for Alexander and the two Caldwell dumplings.

[alanmidd 0]

the idiot has done it again. How can he pick McManus when he has missed most of pre-season and still isn't fit?

 

Jobs for The Bhoys

[fraser54 0]

Dissapointed that Thomson isnt in the team

Come on imagine a 4-3-3 formation with this line up

 

_____________Gordon________________

 

Hutton_____Weir_____Berra____Whittaker

 

_______Brown___Fletcher__Thomson____

 

____Miller___________________McFadden

______________Fletcher_______________

 

That should be the team for the last two games, then maybe Caldwell coming in for Berra !!

Getting fed up of Burley to be honest and im always one who will back managers