Call means Stewart has to toss aside Games plan

Published on Wednesday 3 September 2008 23:36

MICHAEL Stewart was delighted to be swapping a day out in Braemar for trips to Skopje and Reykjavik after being called up by Scotland yesterday.

The Hearts midfielder was added to George Burley's squad for the coming week's World Cup qualifiers in Macedonia and Iceland following three more injury withdrawals.

After being omitted from the original party, Stewart organised a trip to the Braemar Highland Games with a group of friends. But the 27-year-old, who earned his first cap for six years when he came off the bench in last month's friendly against Northern Ireland, was more than happy to ditch those plans.

He said: "I was going up north to Braemar with a group of mates for the Highland Games there, but that has been knocked on the head! I'd have been trying to catch the games on television at some point, but I'm now going to be involved at a lot more close quarters.

"I just found out the news this morning when I was at the football academy getting ready for training. It was a pleasant surprise and clearly I'm delighted.

"I was a late call-up for the last squad against Northern Ireland when there were a few injuries. I knew when the boys were fit that it was going to be tough to get back in, but the manager spoke to me before the squad was announced for the qualifiers so it wasn't a big letdown when I wasn't included."

Scotland kick off their qualifying campaign against Macedonia in the searing heat of Skopje on Saturday afternoon before heading to Reykjavik to take on Iceland four days later. Stewart is hoping the trips prove more than just a busman's holiday.

"This is the business end of things as far as Scotland is concerned with the World Cup qualifiers starting this weekend," he added. "It is great to be involved again and I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

"I don't know what the situation is. It is a case of doing well in training and taking things from there. As to playing in the games… stranger things have happened."

Meanwhile, Barry Ferguson has backed Scotland to handle the heat in clash against Macedonia on Saturday.

Even though temperatures are expected to hit 100F, Ferguson insisted: "It's an experienced squad and I'm sure most of the guys who are going to start, or be involved in the game, have played in similar temperatures or even worse. I don't see that being a problem for the players."