Scotland hit by further pull-outs
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 24 March 2008
Scotland boss George Burley’s first game in charge of the national side appears to be becoming something of a headache after he was hit with the news that Stephen Pearson, Barry Robson and Allan McGregor have all pulled out of the squad to face Croatia.
Burley's squad had already been depleted with the earlier news Rangers trio Barry Ferguson, Christian Dailly and Lee McCulloch were withdrawing from the side to face Slaven Bilic’s side on Wednesday.
Now the former Southampton boss will have to negotiate his first game in charge – which was intended as an opportunity for him to assess the options available to him – without six key players.
Derby midfielder Pearson, Celtic lynchpin Robson and Rangers keeper McGregor followed in the footsteps of the previous triumvirate on Monday morning, and Burley acted quickly by calling up Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae to replace Pearson.
Meanwhile, Celtic striker Scott McDonald has been ruled out of Australia’s World Cup qualifier with China after suffering a calf injury in the 3-0 win over Gretna at the weekend.
McDonald scored in the game to break a six-game goal drought, but he is now a doubt for The Bhoys’ Old Firm clash with Rangers next weekend.