Token Dons Called Up For Scotland Again

With Hearts players left out due to their participation in the Scottish Cup final, Anderson may get a chance to show what he can do. However it is likely to off the bench as Smith will stick with Steven Caldwell, the captain of the worst-ever team to play in the Premiership, as he has done in previous friendlies.

Scott Severin is included in a midfield role he has only briefly occupied this season at Aberdeen due to injury and tactical tinkering from Jimmy Calderwood that has seen him deployed as sweeper, centre-half and an ineffective striker.

First call-ups include SPL top scorer Kris Boyd, who should have been included well before he signed for Rangers, and Chris Burke. Graeme Smith of Motherwell, who has conceded 57 goals this season, is inexplicably called up to join David Marshall, who has played only a handful of games this season, and English lower-league keeper but Scotland squad regular Alexander.

Celtic's number 44 Stephen McManus gains his first call-up in the defender-heavy squad, and is joined by Graeme Murty, another English lower-league player. Walter Smith said of McManus: "Hopefully he will add something." Inspiring stuff.

Despite this tournament being an ideal opportunity to blood plenty fresh talent, David Weir is brought along. Clearly there is something Smith has yet to learn about Weir, who will celebrate his 36th birthday the day before the tournament starts, and the games will provide opportunities to try out the defender in a number of roles across the back.

The games against Bulgaria and Japan are on May 11th and 13th. Try not to get too excited.

Full squad:

Alexander (Cardiff)
Marshall (Celtic)
Smith (Motherwell)

Anderson (Aberdeen)
G Caldwell (Hibernian)
S Caldwell (Sunderland)
McManus (Celtic)
Murty (Reading)
Naysmith (Everton)
Weir (Everton)
Murray (Rangers)

Burke (Rangers)
McCulloch (Wigan)
Quashie (West Brom)
Severin (Aberdeen)
Teale (Wigan)

Boyd (Rangers)
McFadden (Everton)
Maloney (Celtic)
Miller (Wolves)