Burley bids for consistency with first Scotland squad

George Burley calls up Christophe Berra and Steven Fletcher for first squad as Scotland manager

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Monday, 17, Mar 2008 03:43

George Burley has made only four changes to his predecessor's final squad as Scotland manager for the friendly against Croatia.

The former Southampton boss has promoted Christophe Berra and Steven Fletcher from the Scotland B and under-21 teams respectively.

Sunderland's Russell Anderson has earned a recall, while veteran Rangers defender David Weir is left out.

But Burley, announcing the first Scottish squad since then manager Alex McLeish's side lost to Italy in the final Euro 2008 qualifier, insisted Weir had an international future.

"I spoke to Davie last night and it is fairly clear the amount of games Davie has played this season and his age, he has done incredibly well," Burley said of the 61-cap former Everton centre-back.

"At his age he is not going to play forever but he has done terrifically well for Rangers and Scotland of late.

"I think with a friendly game we can give him a little break and look at other players."

Berra, who played under Burley at Hearts, has earned his first senior call-up after impressing in the SPL recently.

"I have seen Christophe a number of times in the last month - he is a young player developing," the Scotland manager said.

"He is playing regularly for Hearts, he has been captain for the last two or three seasons, he has a lot of good attributes."

Scotland play Croatia, who accounted for England in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, at Hampden Park on March 26th.

Scotland squad to face CroatiaGoalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland), David Marshall (Norwich City), Allan McGregor (Rangers). Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley), Russell Anderson (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (Rangers), Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur), James McEveley (Derby County), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United). Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Lee McCulloch (Rangers), Stephen Pearson (Derby County), Barry Robson (Celtic), Gary Teale (Derby County). Strikers: Kris Boyd (Rangers), Steven Fletcher (Hibernian), James McFadden (Birmingham City), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa), Kenny Miller (Derby County), Garry O’Connor (Birmingham City).