Burley calls Boyd into Scots squad

While Kris Boyd remains in self-imposed exile from the international scene, largely unheralded Peterborough United forward George Boyd has been recruited by Scotland manager George Burley for next week's B fixture against Northern Ireland in Cumbernauld.

The 23-year-old, who has just helped Peterborough win promotion to the English Championship, was born and raised in the south of England but qualifies to play for Scotland through a Glaswegian grandfather. The SFA was last night waiting to receive formal documentation of Boyd's Scottish roots but it is expected he will be added today to the other 17 players named by Burley yesterday for the B international next Wednesday.

"I was made aware of him a couple of months ago and I've had him watched," said Burley. "His grandfather was from Glasgow and I'm sure there will be no problems. I've spoken to the lad, but we can't officially name him in the squad until the paperwork is completed."

Boyd, who operates as a left-winger or a deep-lying striker for Peterborough, has flourished under the successful management of former Scotland Under-21 international midfielder Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson, at the club.

He joined them from Stevenage Borough in January 2007 for 260,000, a record transfer fee for a player from the English Conference, and has been a key figure in back-to-back promotions achieved under Ferguson.

Chatham-born Boyd has just been named in the English PFA's League One Team of the Year and has already been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to a bigger club.

He will now be handed the opportunity to press his claims for a place in the senior Scotland squad, with Burley convinced next week's B international remains a valuable exercise despite the restrictions on players he could select for it.

The re-scheduling of the fixtures involving Hearts, Hibs, Dundee United and Aberdeen for next Thursday night was frustrating for the manager, but he remains optimistic other players will seize the chance to impress him.

"Next week was not a scheduled midweek for the SPL, so that's why we chose the date," explained Burley.

"But unfortunately we now have four teams who would have provided seven or eight players for the squad playing on the Thursday night.

"It would have been nice to be able to pick from those clubs as well, but I don't think it can do any harm to have this game. It gives people an opportunity to play an international game.

"You have two options. You either do nothing with players who are on the fringe of the squad and youngsters coming through, or you try and arrange a game. The idea of B fixtures is to experiment with players who will hopefully get into the full squad."

Four senior Scotland internationals are included in the squad – Norwich City goalkeeper David Marshall, Falkirk defender Darren Barr, Motherwell striker David Clarkson and Rangers forward Steven Naismith.

Marshall, now confirmed as Scotland's second-choice goalkeeper following the expulsion of Allan McGregor, will start the match. He has an important club game before then, though, with Norwich needing to beat Charlton in the final game of the Championship season this Sunday and also relying on Barnsley losing to avoid relegation.

Celtic full-back Mark Wilson, West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans and Preston winger Ross Wallace are others likely to start.

Current Scotland Under-21 squad midfielders Scott Arfield of Falkirk and Barry Bannan of Aston Villa have also been included, and Burley will be assisted at the match by Under-21 coach Billy Stark.

Burley calls Boyd into Scots squad – George Boyd