Darren Barr and Murray Davidson called up to Scotland squad

DARREN Barr and Murray Davidson have been called up to the Scotland squad to face Luxembourg.

• Midfielders Darren Barr and Murray Davidson latest additions to Billy Stark’s squad

• Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths ‘delighted’ to be involved

• Scotland play Luxembourg in a friendly on Wednesday night

St Johnstone midfielder Davidson`s call-up was confirmed by the Scottish Football Association while Hearts revealed Barr had been picked.

Caretaker manager Billy Stark has now added seven players to his original squad after nine withdrew on Sunday.

Barr has one Scotland cap, earned while a Falkirk defender in a goalless draw against Northern Ireland at Hampden in August 2008.

His career stalled after a move to Hearts but he finally won a regular first-team place earlier this year after being converted to a defensive midfielder.

The 27-year-old scored in the William Hill Scottish Cup final win over Hibernian and has been an ever-present this season.

Davidson, 24, is uncapped but was previously called up for matches against Faroe Islands in November 2010 and Brazil in March 2011.

The call-ups mean Stark now has 19 players booked to travel to Luxembourg tomorrow lunchtime.

Stark handed debut calls to Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly, Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths and Inverness midfielder Andrew Shinnie on Sunday.

Huddersfield left-back Paul Dixon, who played in the opening World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia, and St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson were also brought in.

Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall (groin), Sunderland pair Phil Bardsley (hamstring) and Steven Fletcher (ankle), midfielders Shaun Maloney (abdominal), Barry Bannan (knee), Charlie Adam and James Morrison (both groin), Blackpool winger Matt Philips (toe) and QPR forward Jamie Mackie (ankle) all pulled out.

Davidson told St Johnstone’s official website: “I’m delighted. I’ve been involved before and got on the bench in games against the Faroes and Brazil but have been out of the scene for a wee while so it’s great to be given this chance.”

Griffiths admitted he was surprised by his call-up.

The 22-year-old scored his 12th goal of the season as Hibs went top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League yesterday with a 2-1 victory over Dundee United.

Griffiths told his club’s official website: “I’m delighted - I didn’t think I had a chance. I’m just so happy that I’m making my kids proud of me.

“I’ve been pleased with how everything has gone for me and the team so far this season. I’ve already beaten my tally for last season and I just want to see where it takes me.

“I’ve scored 12 goals, but that is because the rest of the boys have been creating the chances for me - it’s been a team effort.

“Everybody is working hard towards achieving the same goal - winning games for Hibs.”

Updated squad (in alphabetical order):

Darren Barr (Heart of Midlothian)

Cameron Bell (Kilmarnock)

Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Kris Commons (Celtic)

Murray Davidson (St Johnstone)

Paul Dixon (Huddersfield Town)

Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)

Matt Gilks (Blackpool)

Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian)

Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers)

Liam Kelly (Kilmarnock)

Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)

Steven Naismith (Everton)

Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)

Craig Samson (St Mirren)

Andrew Shinnie (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian)

Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)