Walter Smith keen to see Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd back for Scotland

Scotland manager Craig Levein has confirmed he intends to name both striker Boyd and goalkeeper McGregor in his first squad for next month's friendly against Czech Republic.

Boyd previously refused to be considered for selection while George Burley was at the helm, while McGregor was frozen out as a result of his role in the infamous "boozegate" affair, along with Barry Ferguson.

"I think it's a good thing," said Smith. "If Craig feels he wants to get the best he possibly can, then both these boys have been doing well this season. I'm pleased that he is picking them. Kris was playing as well as he has played at any time since I came back to Rangers and was scoring goals. So he is one that you would want in your group.

"Allan McGregor has been terrific for us over the season so it's good that he's getting picked too. Scotland have a couple of good goalies, with Craig Gordon and Allan, and it's a position where they are strong."

Former Scotland manager Smith – who echoed Levein's desire to see the Scots paired with England in the draw for the European Championships in 2012 – believes Levein was wise to open the door to players who have previously represented the national team.

He said: "The country needs the national team to be doing well and we want to be optimistic about what's happening. I've said on many occasions that Scotland have good players and Craig is taking back people who have played there before who are not inexperienced in terms of international football and I'm sure the country will benefit from that."

Boyd will be in the squad for Rangers' Active Nation Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren today after making a quick recovery from hernia surgery last month. Smith admits his return has come at the right time for the holders but will err on the side of caution in terms of the striker's involvement over the next week or so, with games against Motherwell and Hibernian also looming.

"I've put him in the squad because he has shown no ill effects from training this week," said the Rangers manager. "Looking at the week ahead, we also have two SPL games coming up, so we will have to work out what's best for him."

Madjid Bougherra is also back after several weeks on international duty with Algeria and is set to be drafted straight back into the team, with fellow centre-half David Weir suspended.

"There is no problem in terms of him coming back in after the number of games he had in the African Nations Cup," said Smith. "It will be the first time Madjid and Danny Wilson will play together but Madjid is an experienced player and young Danny has been playing regularly in the team, so I don't think there is a problem with that aspect of it."

Rangers and St Mirren face each other in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after both teams booked their place in next month's Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

"This week both of us have reached the first cup final of the year and both clubs have got a lift from that," said Smith. "We played each other recently and it was a good game, a close game, and we expect much the same. I think it will be a proper cup tie tomorrow and we are looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Gus MacPherson insists St Mirren are already fired up for the tie regardless of talk of a potential Rangers treble this season.

Smith's side are now being tipped for a domestic clean-sweep – even though Saints still have a say in both cup competitions – but MacPherson sees no reason to pin the headlines up in the dressing room.

"It just shows you the expectations," he said. "When you play a club of the stature of Rangers, that's their belief, that they are going to win games.

"We certainly have a confidence within the group at the moment and not just from Tuesday night's cup win. We believe we can win games and hopefully, with home advantage, we can cause Rangers problems.

"We have been happy with the performances in recent games."