Scotland squad for Luxembourg game (Griffiths added)

[Hiber-nation]

Kenny Miller....very forward thinking Mr Stark. Unsurprisingly, no Griffiths :rolleyes:

Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
Phil Bardsley (Sunderland)
Cameron Bell (Kilmarnock)
Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Kris Commons (Celtic)
Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
Matt Gilks (Blackpool)
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers)
Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
David Marshall (Cardiff City)
Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps)
James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)
Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)
Steven Naismith (Everton)
Matt Phillips (Blackpool)
Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)
Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian)
Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)

[EdinMike]

Don't think he had much of a choice when it comes to changing things dramatically.

At least he had the brains to drop Alan "Cannae get a Game" Hutton.. :agree:

[SteveHFC]

Kenny Miller what a ****ing surprise :rolleyes:

[Hiber-nation]

Don't think he had much of a choice when it comes to changing things dramatically.

At least he had the brains to drop Alan "Cannae get a Game" Hutton.. :agree:

Bringing Miller all the way from Toronto for a meaningless friendly is taking it too far though.

[ScottB]

A friendly against Luxembourg, why not pick some untried players? With it being Stark, why not blood some of the guys who have just / will soon graduate from the Under 21s setup?

What do we learn by playing Kenny bloody Miller yet again? Fair enough he may fancy his chances of the top job and has picked a safe squad but come on.

[EdinMike]

Bringing Miller all the way from Toronto for a meaningless friendly is taking it too far though.

Agreed there, Miller shouldn't and hopefully after this be no where near the national team anymore.

[soda70]

Don't think he had much of a choice when it comes to changing things dramatically.

At least he had the brains to drop Alan "Cannae get a Game" Hutton.. :agree:

No McGregor or Scott Brown either?

[hfc rd]

Webster???

[Hiber-nation]

Webster???

He's there, 2nd from bottom..

[EdinMike]

No McGregor or Scott Brown either?

I think Celtic asked Scott be ommited from the squad, and heard McGregor was injured ?! Can't confirm that though.

[Stevie Reid]

Delighted Leigh isn't involved - we don't need him getting additional exposure, or put at risk of injury.

His time will come.

[Golden Bear]

It's disappointing that we don't have a single player in the Under 21 squad.


Scotland Under-21 squad to face Portugal

Goalkeepers Jordan Archer (Tottenham), Chris Kettings (Blackpool)

Defenders Kieran Duffie (Falkirk), Stuart Findlay (Celtic), Marcus Fraser (Celtic), Kevin McHattie (Hearts), Clark Robertson (Aberdeen), Lewis Toshney (Celtic)

Midfielders Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Fraser Fyvie (Wigan), Jason Holt (Hearts), Kenneth McLean (St Mirren), Lewis MacLeod (Rangers)

Forwards Islam Feruz (Chelsea), Dylan McGeouch (Celtic), Callum Paterson (Hearts), David Smith (Hearts), Tony Watt (Celtic)

[Part/Time Supporter]

Bringing Miller all the way from Toronto for a meaningless friendly is taking it too far though.

Vancouver.

Their season is over. It's possible that he is in the UK anyway and won't be back in North America until next pre-season.

[hfc rd]

He's there, 2nd from bottom..

I know but I find that decision baffling. They're doing garbage.

[hfc rd]

It's disappointing that we don't have a single player in the Under 21 squad.


Scotland Under-21 squad to face Portugal

Goalkeepers Jordan Archer (Tottenham), Chris Kettings (Blackpool)

Defenders Kieran Duffie (Falkirk), Stuart Findlay (Celtic), Marcus Fraser (Celtic), Kevin McHattie (Hearts), Clark Robertson (Aberdeen), Lewis Toshney (Celtic)

Midfielders Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Fraser Fyvie (Wigan), Jason Holt (Hearts), Kenneth McLean (St Mirren), Lewis MacLeod (Rangers)

Forwards Islam Feruz (Chelsea), Dylan McGeouch (Celtic), Callum Paterson (Hearts), David Smith (Hearts), Tony Watt (Celtic)



I know. Both Caldwell and Handling deserve a chance. Plus that boy from Aberdeen called Cammy Fraser who looks a great wee winger should have been selected. Folk like Jason Holt, who hasn't even been in a poor yams team, finds himself selected for nothing?

[superfurryhibby]

Stark should have picked some players with a view to experimenting, what's he going to learn about the familiar faces in a game like this? Also, three goalies....no need!

Would have liked to see Leigh get a crack at it and maybe Wotherspoon deserves a chance too (most skillful scottish SPL midfielder in my view)?

As for including Kenny Miller, why?

[Hiber-nation]

Vancouver.

Their season is over. It's possible that he is in the UK anyway and won't be back in North America until next pre-season.

Cheers, I honestly thought it was Toronto. Still an absolute joke that he is being considered.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Looks like ***** had already decided on this squad and Stark is just going with it. Billy Stark knows all about Leigh, Spoony and Hanlon, he has made Hanlon and Spoony regular starters in the last 2/3 years and he made Paul his captian so im sure if he got the gig full time then these and the othe u21's would be in his thoughts.

There's bound to be call offs and the like and the Hibs lads are just about finnished with the u21's due to their age.

[Purehibee_MYB]

James McPake on Twitter saying Griffiths has been called up for Scotland. Not seen it confirmed anywhere but good on the lad if true.. It's about time!:flag:(apologies if posted)

[Wotherspiniesta]

Well done Sparky.

Fully deserved :aok:

[cabbageandribs1875]

dammit noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Pretty Boy]

Brilliant for him.

The added exposure not so good for us.

[Onceinawhile]

Sparky has confirmed it as well. Well done sparky.

[lord bunberry]

Its about time Levein picked a hibs player oh wait a minute. ...

[Stuarty1875]

Fully deserved. Well done Sparky :thumbsup:

[hibbybrian]

Its about time Levein picked a hibs player oh wait a minute. ...

But he's a Wolves player oh wait a minute ... I know what you've done ... :greengrin

[wearethehibs]

Dam.

[SteveHFC]

Well Done Sparky

[silverhibee]

Well done to the lad.

Fully deserved.

[Diclonius]

Well done Leigh. All the best at your new club.

[hibee_girl]

About time, 12 goals in 12 games cannot be ignored.

[Franck Stanton]

Pleased for the lad, fully deservrs his chance. Only down side is it will now be even harder to keep hold of him.

[Glory Lurker]

Difficult to remember a player deserving it more.

[hibsmad]

dammit noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

This was my reaction.

He fully deserves it but I just wish it came after he signed a contract with us.

[SteveHFC]

Scotland Interim National Coach Billy Stark has called-up a hat-trick of international debutants for Wednesday’s International Challenge Match against Luxembourg.

Kilmarnock’s Liam Kelly, Hibernian’s Leigh Griffiths and Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Andrew Shinnie have all had their club form recognised after a series of weekend withdrawals.

Scotland will be without nine players from the original squad: James Morrison (groin), Phil Bardsley (hamstring), Steven Fletcher (ankle), Shaun Maloney (abdominal), Charlie Adam (groin), Matt Phillips (toe), Barry Bannan (knee), David Marshall (groin), Jamie Mackie (ankle).

However, Billy has used the opportunity to introduce fresh talent to the A squad. Kelly, Griffiths and Shinnie have been joined by Paul Dixon, the Huddersfield Town full back, and Craig Samson, the St Mirren goalkeeper.

“Obviously at this stage of the season, with players playing weekend and midweek, niggles and strains and withdrawals are to be expected,” said the national coach. “This match gives us an opportunity to look at players who maybe have not been had experience of the international set-up but who have been in tremendous form at their clubs.

“Leigh has been excellent for Hibernian and scored again yesterday. I know him from the under-21s and he is a talented player. Liam has been terrific for Kilmarnock and it is fitting that he gets an opportunity, while Andrew has been a real inspiration behind Inverness’s success so far this season.

“I wanted to keep the under-21 squad as settled as possible because they have a tough game against Portugal, and I know what the more experienced players who have not made the squad are capable of at this level so there is an element of experimentation to the additions.”


Out: James Morrison (groin), Phil Bardsley (hamstring), Steven Fletcher (ankle), Shaun Maloney (abdominal), Charlie Adam (groin), Matt Phillips (toe), Barry Bannan (knee), David Marshall (groin), Jamie Mackie (ankle).

In: Paul Dixon, Craig Samson, Andrew Shinnie, Liam Kelly, Leigh Griffiths.

Nice to see Kelly in the squad too :thumbsup:

[1two]

Sorry I posted elsewhere but not seen it

Leigh has been added to the Scotland squad

Well done Leigh!

[Elephant Stone]

Got mixed feelings about this from a selfish point of view. Absolutely 100% deserved though, he's been sublime.

[1two]

Got mixed feelings about this from a selfish point of view. Absolutely 100% deserved though, he's been sublime.

Know what you mean
We need to get him signed up

[Baldy Foghorn]

Hope he returns fully fit and doesn't pick up any knocks from this friendly...However he deserves the recognition that his play has merited...

[Centre Hawf]

With so many withdrawals and a meaningless friendly, i'd have loved to see Paul Hanlon get a call up ahead of Webster. Slot him in beside Caldwell or Berra and he will do just fine i reckon.

[Glory Lurker]

With so many withdrawals and a meaningless friendly, i'd have loved to see Paul Hanlon get a call up ahead of Webster. Slot him in beside Caldwell or Berra and he will do just fine i reckon.

Surely there's a space for that Ian Black fella that played at ER the other month? He must be one for the future surely - no manager with any sense would have picked him if he didn't have a role to play in future?:rolleyes:

[vanNISHtelroy]

Delighted for Liam to get his first call-up, and hope he gets a cap....but from a selfish point of view hope he doesn't play too much because Killie play at Tannadice on the friday.

Also with Marshall pulling out hopefully Cammy Bell will get some game time too!

[Golden Bear]

In a way I'm hoping that Leigh only makes a fleeting appearance as a sub against Luxembourg.

I'd say he's been performing very well considering he's not 100% fit.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20289300

[Billy McKirdy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/20292831

About time too :thumbsup:

[Golden Bear]

Delighted for Liam to get his first call-up, and hope he gets a cap....but from a selfish point of view hope he doesn't play too much because Killie play at Tannadice on the friday.

Also with Marshall pulling out hopefully Cammy Bell will get some game time too!

A very well deserved call up in his case. I've always thought that he's an excellent 'keeper.

[Billy McKirdy]

:thumbsup: well done Sparky

[Sylar]

I thought it was interesting that Neil Lennon has come out and both stated that he feels these international friendlies are pointless and has allegedly (according to a few media sources) asked Billy Stark to "go easy" on the players, owing to Celtic's busy schedule right now.

I know there have been a fair few opinions exchanged about internationals on here and for the most part, I would almost agree that fixtures like this one against Luxembourg can be viewed as pointless, particularly when so many players will withdraw anyway and they don't count for much of anything at all.

However, is it just me that finds it hard to stomach listening to Lennon harping on about busy schedules and preserving his players from international duty when his team have taken a week out after the season has begun to participate in glamour friendlies the past few years, thus resulting in further congestion for both his and the team they are scheduled to face later in the season?

Billy Stark should take the Celtic players in the squad and leave them out there for the full 90 minutes, as would be his prerogative as interim manager of the national side.

[Part/Time Supporter]

Darren Barr now added to the squad.

:eek:

[SteveHFC]

Updated Scotland squad as of Monday, November 12:
Goalkeepers: Cammy Bell (Kilmarnock), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Craig Samson (St Mirren)
Defenders: Christophe Berra (Wolves), Paul Dixon (Dundee United), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)
Midfielders: Darren Barr (Hearts), Kris Commons (Celtic), Murray Davidson (St Johnstone), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Liam Kelly (Kilmarnock), Andrew Shinnie (Inverness CT)
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian), Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Steven Naismith (Everton), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)

[BarneyK]

Darren Barr now added to the squad.

:eek:

Indeed. Apparantly Hearts' "midfielder" Darren Barr has been called up. Simply baffling...

[Hiber-nation]

Darren Barr now added to the squad.

:eek:

That is honestly a sick joke. The worst midfielder in a team 10th in the SPL.

[Eganov]

Bit harsh on Spoony to be excluded from lot IMO.

[BarneyK]

That is honestly a sick joke. The worst midfielder in a team 10th in the SPL.

Not strictly true...he's not a midfielder. He's a stop-gap. :wink:

[The_Sauz]

I see he has been called up to the Scotland squad :bitchy::brickwall

[Centre Hawf]

I see he has been called up to the Scotland squad :bitchy::brickwall

A decent player by SPL standards but there are surely better players to be had? Not even an Under 21 player?

[plhibs]

Fenlon withdrew L.G. yesterday and said he has been carrying a bit of a knock for a couple of weeks. Being utterly selfish, the less Hibs players involved in a friendly the better as far as i am concerned.

[BarneyK]

A decent player by SPL standards but there are surely better players to be had? Not even an Under 21 player?

Two midfielders from our first choice midfield qualify, but being realistic, if you're in charge of the Scotland set-up who are you going to choose - a defender playing in midfield for a team third bottom of the league or a midfielder from the team at the top? It's a no brainer really...The yam everytime, eh...

[weonlywon6-2]

I see he has been called up to the Scotland squad :bitchy::brickwall

Why, are we short of someone to drive the team coach???

[frazeHFC]

Two midfielders from our first choice midfield qualify, but being realistic, if you're in charge of the Scotland set-up who are you going to choose - a defender playing in midfield for a team third bottom of the league or a midfielder from the team at the top? It's a no brainer really...The yam everytime, eh...


:agree: On recent form Cairney and Wotherspoon deserve a call up.......whereas Barr! :bitchy:

[BarneyK]

:agree: On recent form Cairney and Wotherspoon deserve a call up.......whereas Barr! :bitchy:

You know I could just about understand Ryan Stevenson...but Barr...:bitchy:

[Diclonius]

He's a ****ing centre back being played as a defensive midfielder because he's too ***** in his natural position. At the club lying third bottom of the SPL.

What. The. ****.

[hibees 7062]

Wow the biggest favour they ever done for us was to sign him , s.... player

[BarneyK]

He's a ****ing centre back being played as a defensive midfielder because he's too ***** in his natural position.

What. The. ****.

:top marks

[euansdad]

Feel for him a wee bit cos im sure he would have been hoping make his international debut but from a club perspective, I'm not to disappointed!

[The_Sauz]

I would have thought Gavin Rae (Aberdeen) would have been a better replacement!

[plhibs]

Feel for him a wee bit cos im sure he would have been hoping make his international debut but from a club perspective, I'm not to disappointed!

Sorry i may have misled you ,if you are replying to my post. I meant that P.F. had withdrawn him from the United game yesterday. As far as i know he is still in the Scotland sqad.

[Fred Perry]

I would have thought Gavin Rae (Aberdeen) would have been a better replacement!

I would have thought Gordon Rae would be a better replacement!! :wink:

[euansdad]

I'd have been a better replacement and I'm *****

[allezsauzee]

Gavin Rae wouldn't really be looking to the future. Darren Barr is never likely to be good enough to play for Scotland but I'd prefer we find that out playing in a pointless friendly against Luxembourg than when it actually matters.

[Baldy Foghorn]

Fenlon withdrew L.G. yesterday and said he has been carrying a bit of a knock for a couple of weeks. Being utterly selfish, the less Hibs players involved in a friendly the better as far as i am concerned.

Why the article on official site Today then?? LG has not been withdrawn

[plhibs]

Why the article on official site Today then?? LG has not been withdrawn

Sorry (see my post #66) i didn't quite explain what i meant, my fault.:greengrin

[Baldy Foghorn]

Sorry (see my post #66) i didn't quite explain what i meant, my fault.:greengrin

Got you now (I think:wink:), you meant he was substituted....

[plhibs]

Got you now (I think:wink:), you meant he was substituted....

Thats it :greengrin too big a word for my one finger typing.

[jgl07]

Bringing Miller all the way from Toronto for a meaningless friendly is taking it too far though.

I thought that the MLS season was over.

In any event I thought Miller played for Vancouver Whitcaps not Toronto?

[plhibs]

I thought that the MLS season was over.

In any event I thought Miller played for Vancouver Whitcaps not Toronto?

Vancouvers' season is over although the MLS still has a few weeks to go.