Poor showing will cost players Scotland call - McGhee

Mar 26 2008 By Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

DISAPPOINTED Motherwell manager Mark McGhee believes Saturday’s poor performance against Dundee United may have cost a number of his players a place in the senior national squad.

Scotland are set to play Croatia at Hampden Park tonight (Wednesday) in new boss George Burley’s first game in charge of the national side.

And, with a host of call-offs from the Scotland camp this week, it was hoped that a number of Steelmen may have forced their way into the set-up.

Rangers’ Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Allan McGregor and Christian Dailly pulled out on Monday along with Celtic's Barry Robson.

And Birmingham striker James McFadden and Derby’s Stephen Pearson picked up injuries recently that prevented them from joining up with the Scotland squad at their Loch Lomond base at the start of this week.

McGhee said: “I thought by now in the circumstances (with the number of call-offs) that maybe Mark Reynolds, Stephen Hughes or even Ross McCormack might have received a call-up.

“But then I look at them on Saturday and think, well if George Burley, or someone that was there on behalf of George Burley, was watching, then they wouldn’t have picked any one of them.”

“I think potentially they are good enough to be in the squad but they need to consistently do better than they did on Saturday.

“It is in the players’ hands.”

However, the Fir Park boss believes that the crucial games coming up for Motherwell, as they continue to pursue the coveted third spot in the SPL that would guarantee European football next season, are an ideal opportunity for his charges to prove their worth before Scotland’s World Cup journey begins in earnest in September.

He said: “They have to do consistently well at that level and now they have got an opportunity before the summer against Celtic, Rangers, Hibs and Dundee United to prove that they are the ones that should be in that squad.

“It is a great opportunity for them.”

Eyebrows were raised in some quarters at the news that 30-year-old Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae had been drafted into the Scotland squad as a late replacement after the glut of call-offs, with a number of younger SPL players overlooked — including ‘Well’s impressive 25-year-old Stephen Hughes.

But McGhee cautioned: “Stephen Hughes has been outstanding this season but he didn’t play well on Saturday and maybe that is what George Burley sees.”

Meanwhile, Fir Parkers Mark Reynolds and Ross McCormack will be hoping to impress when they turn out for Scotland under-21s against Finland at Pittodrie tonight.

l Names are being taken for the Motherwell Supporters’ Club Wishaw branch bus for the match against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday, April 5. Seats are available and further information can be obtained by contacting Anne on 384050.