Scotland vs USA / Norway

[tom_widdows]

Was the cheer tinged with irony? Wonder if he'd get the same reaction in a competitive game or at a game outside of Glasgow?

[mizer]

Steven Naismith is likely to lead Scotland's attack for Tuesday's friendly in Norway.

 

Ross McCormack, a late call-up for Friday's 0-0 draw with the USA, has withdrawn with a hamstring injury.

 

With Steven Fletcher excused the trip to Molde, Kris Boyd has been recalled after a three-year absence , but the Kilmarnock striker will not start.

 

Ikechi Anya, Craig Bryson and Russell Martin could feature after missing out against USA.

 

The trio were unused substitutes at Hampden and manager Gordon Strachan indicated the players would feature on Tuesday.

 

Midfielders James McArthur and Charlie Adam are others who may come into Strachan's plans this time.

 

"There will be a freshness in personnel and a wee change of emphasis in how we go about the game," he said.

 

With regular goalkeeper Allan McGregor injured, David Marshall should retain his position as Matt Gilks has returned to Blackpool for treatment on an unspecified problem.

 

Partick Thistle's Scott Fox, who had received his first-ever call-up to the squad, is the only other remaining goalkeeper in the party.

 

Along with Fletcher, Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew and Blackburn defender Grant Hanley left the squad after the goalless encounter with the USA.

 

Everton forward Naismith, who has scored three goals in 26 international appearances, was a late substitute at Hampden and had led the Scotland line in the wins against Macedonia and Croatia.

 

Naismith and Boyd played up front together at Kilmarnock and Rangers, but Strachan has said the latter will be among the substitutes.

 

James Morrison, Jordan Rhodes, Chris Burke, James Forrest and Matt Phillips all pulled out of the original squad, allowing room for Craig Conway and Gary Mackay-Steven, who both featured against Jurgen Klinsmann's side.

 

If Martin does return to the starting line-up, Strachan has a choice of Christophe Berra and Gordon Greer to partner the Norwich defender with.

 

Greer won his first cap against the USA, while Berra has not played since Strachan's opening match - a 1-0 friendly win over Estonia in February.

 

Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong was called up along with Boyd after impressing the senior boss for the Scotland Under-21s in their draw with Georgia last week.

 

Norway will be without Stefan Johansen, with the midfielder breaking a rib during Friday's 2-1 loss to Denmark.

 

Mats Møller Dæhli is in line for a first international start on his home ground, having done well as a second-half substitute against the Danes.

 

Scotland squad

 

Goalkeepers: Scott Fox (Partick Thistle), David Marshall (Cardiff City)

 

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Gordon Greer (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)

 

Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Stoke City), Ikechi Anya (Watford), Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United) Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Craig Conway (Brighton & Hove Albion), Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)

 

Forwards: Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock), Steven Naismith (Everton).

[tom_widdows]

Is anyone else bemused at Strachan allegedly saying he wants more hard work form the squad on the same day he called up Kris Boyd?

[mizer]

Is anyone else bemused at Strachan allegedly saying he wants more hard work form the squad on the same day he called up Kris Boyd?

 

Utterly

[tlg1903]

Boyd is a bit of an easy target, he is still an accomplished striker.  I'm quite interested to see how he plays if truth be told. 

 

Update

 

Just turned on sportsound and Willie Miller is praising the call up

 

 

Edit

 

 

I just agreed with Chick Young............ i feel sick

 

he just questioned why boyd is in the squad and not stevie may as well

[Kowalski]

Shit performance, good result, back to the Scotland of old?  If we can continue to grind out scores likes that then things are definitely looking brighter.

 

 

[BigAl]

Absolutely awful game........

 

Brown lucky to be on the park to score the winner after his spoilt child petulant kick out at an opponent off the ball (now where have I seen that before). Absolute disgrace a captain of our national team behaving like that.

[manc_don]

He really should know better by now, its not like he's a youngster anymore. Great player but wise the fuck up you pikey prick.

[Tyrant]

Avoided both these games and I'd rather watch paint dry. Sounds like I made the correct decision. Disappointed to hear about Brown. I just hope Strachan has a word with him.