Scotland boss defends decision to play friendly after nine players pull out
Scotland manager Craig Levein has defended the decision to play an international friendly against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday 17 November after nine players withdrew from the squad.
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Christophe Berra, Cardiff City winger Chris Burke, Wigan Athletic defender Gary Caldwell, West Bromwich Albion midfielders Graham Dorrans and James Morrison, Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks, Tottenham Hotspur full-back Alan
Hutton and Rangers pair Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker all pulled out of the squad after picking up injuries over the weekend while with their clubs.
As a result, Levein drafted in another 10 players, including Kilmarnock midfielder Craig Bryson, Blackpool defender Stephen Crainey, Wigan's Steven Caldwell, Dundee United's Garry Kenneth, Middlesbrough's Barry Robson and Celtic winger Shaun Maloney.
But his attempts to bring in Kirk Broadfoot (Rangers), Don Cowie (Watford), Kevin Thomson (Middlesbrough) and Mark Wilson (Celtic) were denied due to the players' respective injuries.
Levein says that the friendly against the Faroes will allow him to assess several players ahead of crucial UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying matches in 2011.
He told reporters, "I've heard people questioning the value of the game. I can say 100 per cent that this game will provide me with a lot of information. If I discover another two players, then I will be delighted with that."
The former Heart of Midlothian boss had handed several debut call-ups to graduates of the Under-21 national team, such as Liverpool defender Danny Wilson, Aston Villa attacker Barry Bannan and Dundee United striker David Goodwillie in the original squad.
Levein added, "Let's not forget some of the best players that ever played international football made their debuts in friendly matches. We're still going to have a pretty strong starting line-up and I'm comfortable that we have a good group available.
"The system that we'll play will be pretty much the same. We'll get to see Jamie Mackie playing in his preferred position, up front. Charlie Adam will play, Darren Fletcher will play."
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