US match first step towards World Cup 2014, says Peter Houston

Scotland play the United States in Jacksonville on Saturday before the road to Brazil begins in September against Serbia.

“We are looking forward to the trip because we see this game as the first in the build-up to the qualifiers for the World Cup, so it’s very important in many ways,” said Houston, who reported no call-offs from the 22-man squad. “It’s one we’re looking forward to but we’re not there for a holiday. We’re here to try to win a match against the United States so the preparation will be as thorough as ever.”

Joining manager Craig Levein and Houston in leaving from Glasgow yesterday were Celtic captain Scott Brown and his team-mate Charlie Mulgrew, goalkeeper Allan McGregor and his Rangers colleagues Lee Wallace and Steven Whittaker and another keeper in Craig Gordon, who was last week released by Sunderland.

Dundee United striker Johnny Russell was also on the flight after receiving his first senior Scotland squad call-up.

Following Saturday’s match, Russell will join up with the Scotland under-21 squad for their European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria on 31 May.

Defender Andy Webster took part in Hearts’ William Hill Scottish Cup victory celebrations in Edinburgh yesterday and will be among a group of players departing later, with the majority of the English-based contingent set to leave from Manchester today.

Among them will be midfielder Matt Phillips, who suffered an npower Championship Play-off final defeat with Blackpool against West Ham at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. But he will be hoping to end the season on a positive note with a first Scotland cap.

“It’s great the amount of players who have turned up,” Houston added.

“Some are flying out tomorrow and the Scottish-based lads are already here.”