Scotland wait on McGregor

Scotland coach Craig Levein is hoping to have goalkeeper Allan McGregor fit for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Spain as they aim to keep alive their hopes of reaching Poland and the Ukraine in two years’ time (No 1/10 Yes 11/2 – Scotland To Qualify For Euro 2012).

Scotland currently lead Group I (16/1 Group Winner) after securing four points from their opening matches against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

However, they will face some of their toughest tests in the coming week when they travel to the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday and then face reigning World and European champions Spain at Hampden four days later.

And Levein is looking for Rangers shot-stopper McGregor to shake off a thigh injury in time to play in both matches given that Sunderland’s Craig Gordon is not deemed to be fully fit following a long-term arm injury, while Blackpool’s Matt Gilks has pulled out the squad after suffering a dead leg.

Kilmarnock 24-year-old Cammy Bell has received his first call-up to the Scotland squad, but Levein will not want to throw an inexperienced international custodian into battle against such top opposition.

Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot is missing due to a foot injury, while his club team-mate Lee McCulloch is carrying a hip problem in addition to being suspended for the Czech game.

Therefore Levein has drafted in Watford midfielder Don Cowie and Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton as cover, while he will hope Tottenham Hotspur right-back Alan Hutton and Barnsley left-back Jay McEveley recover from slight knocks in time for Friday.

Levein said: “Players are being assessed at this moment.

“I can tell you Kirk Broadfoot will go back to his club. He has a foot problem and it is safest if he isn’t involved.

“Lee is another that I don’t know about yet.

“Matt Gilks has a problem with a dead leg, Alan Hutton is a bit sore in his groin and Jay McEveley has a problem as well.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>