A PERENNIAL favourite, Ally McCoist, was left out and an emerging
talent, English-born Duncan Jupp, brought in to the Scottish
international set-up yesterday when Craig Brown listed the names for
Scotland's trip to Austria next week.
The game, Scotland's last preparatory workout before the serious stuff
of the European Championship begins early next season, should be an
opportunity for a few young players to make impressions.
McCoist has been left out because the manager, Craig Brown, believes
enough demands have already been placed on the Rangers' striker since
his return from a broken leg, sustained playing for Scotland in Portugal
a year ago, and that it would be wrong to ''inflict on him another
international match at this stage.''
There is no question, however, that McCoist will be left out if he is
the striker in form next September when the international manager
selects a squad for the first European Champioship qualifying match
against Finland in Helsinki.
Brown still looks upon McCoist as a first-choice striker, but simply
feels no purpose can be served by taking him to Vienna, where he feels
it might be the appropriate place to see what Bolton Wanderers' John
McGinlay can do at international level.
It can be argued that Brown ought to have included Aberdeen's Duncan
Shearer, but he has already been tested and the manager knows he is the
type of player who can be pressed into action at short notice.
It makes sense to try as many front players as possible because
Scotland's goal-scoring record is not good. If McGinlay, who will be
capped at some stage in the match against Austria, finds the net, he
would enhance his prospects of being invited back.
Eoin Jess, who is not enjoying a particularly productive season with
Aberdeen, will be given the opportunity to express himself and perhaps
prove what Brown suspects: that a change of environment, jersey, and
pace might bring out his best. ''Jess is a footballer and I'm sure he
will be able to overcome any difficulties he might have been
experiencing lately.
''He has looked good on other occasions for us, but we would have to
worry about him if he couldn't do it in a Scotland jersey,'' said the
manager.
Brown's intention for next week is to play Jess, Phil O'Donnell, and
Billy McKinlay in an attempt to give the side a more youthful appearance
which is certainly not before time. However, the fact that two of those
players, O'Donnell and McKinlay, operate in the midfield suggests the
manager will not be able to accommodate all of the established midfield
players named in in his 19-man squad.
Gary McAllister, the captain, will play because his presence will be
essential if there are younger players about, but Paul McStay, John
Collins, Stuart McCall, and Ian Ferguson can't all start. Ferguson is
certain to play at some stage, but at least two of the three others from
the Old Firm could find themselves idle.
Brown will not even begin to tackle that problem until after
Saturday's matches when he will probably find himself short of a few
players if past history can be relied upon. Natural wastage, as he calls
it, has already left him without four players -- Craig Levein, Andy
Goram, Scott Booth, and McCoist -- and he is bound to suffer further
withdrawals because of injuries.
''A lot must depend on what happens to players during Saturday's
matches, and we have to remember players from Rangers, Aberdeen, and
Dundee United, also will be involved in cup replays,'' Brown said.
''However, I believe I am covered in every area and while the result
will be important because I always set out looking to win matches, I
feel also that the performance this time also has to be good. The
priority is to get things looking right on the pitch.''
Brown confirmed that he will be leaning towards a three-man defensive
line, but will adapt occasionally depending on the style adopted by the
opposition. He tried three at the back against Holland last month, and
it didn't work too well, but the success of any system depends surely on
people's ability to play it.
He could use any system if he had the necessary players, but the fact
is he is short of the sort of professionals who can adapt easily, and
until players of genuine quality come along, he will have to make do and
play to whatever strengths are available. That will mean playing systems
which suit the players rather than asking them to perform functions
beyond their capabilities.
The manager has decided to call in a 20-year-old Fulham full back,
Jupp, who is also being watched by England. Brown has been urged by
contacts in the south to cap the player, whose mother is from Edinburgh,
as a precaution because Jupp is showing signs that he could be a future
asset. ''He is 6ft 2in and has been playing well in Fulham's first team
this season,'' Brown said.
Celtic's Simon Donnelly, Hugh Robertson, of Hearts, and St Johnstone's
Phil Scott are also newcomers to the under-21s, who will play the
Austrians on Tuesday, the night before the senior match in the Ernst
Happel Stadium.
SCOTLAND: Goalkeepers -- Gunn (Norwich City), Leighton (Hibernian).
Defenders -- Boyd (Celtic), Robertson (Rangers), McLaren (Hearts),
McKimmie, Irvine (both Aberdeen), Hendry (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfield -- McStay, Collins (both Celtic), McKinlay (Dundee United),
McCall, I Ferguson (both Rangers), McAllister (Leeds United), O'Donnell
(Motherwell).
Forwards -- Nevin (Tranmere Rovers), McGinlay (Bolton Wand.), Jess
(Aberdeen), Durie (Rangers).
Under-21 squad -- Kerr (Celtic), Stillie (Aberdeen), Robertson
(Aberdeen), Pressley (Rangers), McNamara (Dunfermline), Locke (Hearts),
Jupp (Fulham), Baker (St Mirren), Dair (Raith), Fullarton (St Mirren),
Hannah (Dundee United), Hood (Ayr United), Lavety (St Mirren), Lavin
(Watford), McCann (Dundee), Crawford (Raith Rovers), Dailly (Dundee
United), Donnelly (Celtic), A Johnston (Hearts), Scott (St Johnstone).
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