Lang, A Note To Follow Soh

Last updated : 12 October 2007 By Stand Free Ed

DONS keeper Jamie Langfield has been called up to the Scotland squad that will face Ukraine and Georgia in the upcoming crucial Euro 2008 games.

Langfield has been in fine form since his return to first-team action for the Reds, including an outstanding man-of-the-match performance against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the UEFA Cup last week.

This will be all the more pleasing for Langfield as the big keeper was facing an ignominious exit from Pittodrie after a stag night indiscretion led to a bust-up with Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood.

But Calderwood turned to Langfield after Derek 'Soapy Gloves' Soutar shipped 10 goals in six games at the start of the season, and the 27-year-old rewarded his gaffer with four shut-outs in the next six games.

Scotland boss and Dons legend Alex McLeish told reporters: "Jamie was excellent in Aberdeen's fantastic result in Ukraine and is here on merit."

"Jimmy Calderwood made a decision to bring him back into the fold and that decision has proved to be a good one."

Langfield has yet to receive a Scotland cap, although he was involved in the Scotland squad when they travelled to play the Faroe Islands.

He also has a Scotland B cap which he won when he played the second half of the 2-2 draw with Finland B at Rugby Park in February.

Considine and Fletcher tussle while playing for their clubs

MEANWHILE, Aberdeen defender Andy Considine played a full 90 minutes as Scotland U21s cruised to a convincing victory against Lithuania at Easter Road on Thursday.

Goals from Ross McCormack, Charlie Mulgrew and Steven Fletcher moved the Scots up to joint second in the group, two points behind leaders Finland.

And after the game, Scotland U21 coach Maurice Backpass enthused: "Andy Considine came in and looked a right experienced player, I thought he was excellent for his first game."

Scotland took the lead a minute before the interval when Motherwell's Ross McCormack took a pass from Fletcher and rifled a low drive into the corner of the net.

And they scored again in first-half injury-time when Charlie Mulgrew slotted home from McCormack's cut-back.

Lithuania attempted to fight back and half-time sub Evaldas Grigaitis saw his drive hit the bar but Scotland extended their lead after 58 minutes when Fletcher took Naismith's pass and fired home from the edge of the box.

Scotland stayed in command and McCormack and Naismith both came close to adding to the lead as Scotland finished the game on top.

SCOTLAND 3 LITHUANIA 0

Scorers : McCormack 44, Mulgrew 45, Fletcher 58.

Scotland : MacDonald, Cuthbert (McCann 85), Kenneth, Reynolds, Considine, Hamill, McDonald, Naismith, Mulgrew (Stevenson 67), Fletcher (Campbell 82), McCormack

Subs : Smith, Quinn, Cameron, Elliot

Referee : Damien Ledentu, France

Attendance : 4,618