Scotland B squad: Burley rests top SPL players

Published on Wednesday 29 April 2009 12:19

SCOTLAND boss George Burley today named just one player from each of the Old Firm for next week's B international against Northern Ireland.

Burley has stuck to an agreement not to select senior Celtic and Rangers stars for the game at Broadwood Stadium, with the final derby of the season taking place at lunchtime on Saturday.

Celtic are represented in the squad by defender Mark Wilson, who has not featured for the Scottish champions for more than six weeks. The 24-year-old already has one B cap.

Rangers, meanwhile, have sanctioned the selection of striker Steven Naismith, who has had to make do with mainly substitute appearances since recovering from a long-term injury knee injury in January.

Naismith, 22, earned his only senior cap as a substitute against the Faroe Islands in June 2007, while he has also played in a B international.

Burley has not picked any players from Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United or Aberdeen, all of whom play Clydesdale Bank Premier League games 24 hours after the B international.

The squad is a mixture of senior fringe internationals – such as goalkeeper David Marshall, defender Darren Barr, and striker David Clarkson – current Under-21 internationals – such as Scott Cuthbert, Brian Easton and Scott Arfield – and players from smaller SPL teams and English clubs who have yet to feature under Burley.

Next Wednesday's match is Burley's final chance to assess players on the international stage before August's crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Scotland B squad* for Tennent's International Challenge Match against Northern Ireland on May 6 at Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm):

Marshall(Norwich)

Turner (Everton)

Barr (Falkirk)

Cuthbert (Celtic)

Easton (Hamilton)

Hammell (Motherwell)

Reynolds (Motherwell)

Wilson (Celtic)

Arfield (Falkirk)

Bannan (Aston Villa)

Bryson (Kilmarnock)

Dorrans (West Brom)

Hughes (Motherwell)

Wallace (Preston)

Clarkson (Motherwell)

Gallacher (Blackburn)

Naismith (Rangers)

*One further name expected to be added to the squad.