JUST over two years after being offloaded by Rangers to the third tier of English football, Ross McCormack completed a remarkable revival of his fortunes yesterday when he was handed the opportunity to secure a place in Scotland's squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
As manager George Burley continued a selection strategy clearly designed to gradually reduce the average age of the international squad, 21-year-old McCormack was called into senior service for his country for the first time.
The Motherwell strike
r is one of 16 players aged 26 or under in the 23-man party named by Burley for the challenge match against Euro 2008 finalists Czech Republic in Prague on 30 May. McCormack joins Steven Fletcher among the forwards in the squad, the Hibernian player retaining his place after making his full Scotland debut in Burley's first match in charge against Croatia at Hampden in March.
It is something McCormack could scarcely have envisaged when he was given a free transfer by Rangers in January 2006 and joined Doncaster Rovers in League One. He has thrived following his subsequent move to Fir Park where his form this season has seen him courted by Premier League clubs Middlesbrough and Wigan.
"Ross has had a great season, he has played well for our under-21 side and I'm a firm believer in moving players up from that level if they are doing well," said Burley. "We are looking for players who are progressing their careers and improving, so I'm pleased to add Ross to the squad.
"Steven Fletcher is a young striker who has shown he has a big future in the game and while Ross is maybe not quite at that stage just yet, we want to have a look at him with a view to preparing for the World Cup campaign."
Burley has included five uncapped players this time, McCormack joined by Hearts captain Christophe Berra, James Morrison of West Bromwich Albion and the Rangers pair of Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker.
Thomson is included in a Scotland squad for the first time, while it is Whittaker's first involvement with full team since he was called up as a late replacement by Walter Smith for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev in October 2006.
"Neither Kevin or Steven have reached their full potential yet," said Burley. "Kevin is a good passer of the ball, very comfortable in possession, while Steven is very versatile and athletic."
Burley named his squad more than three weeks before the match in Prague to inform English-based players whose seasons have just finished, or are about to finish, whether they would be required.
"We know there could be injuries before the squad gathers," he said, "but hopefully we have the numbers to cope. The Czechs are one of the best teams in Europe and it's going to be a stern test for us, but it's a game I felt we needed to take on with the World Cup campaign on the horizon."
Of those named in his squad for the Croatia match, Burley has left out Derby County trio Stephen Pearson, Gary Teale and Jay McEveley, veteran Burnley full-back Graham Alexander and Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor.
There is a recall, however, for Kevin McNaughton, who won the last of his three caps in the dismal 4-1 defeat by Sweden at Easter Road three years ago. Still only 25, the former Aberdeen player can play at full-back or in midfield and has been a key figure in Cardiff City's progress to next week's FA Cup final at Wembley.
Burley has been closely monitoring McNaughton's form over the last few months, along with that of West Bromwich midfielder Morrison. The 21-year-old Darlington-born player, who qualifies for Scotland through parentage, was initially called up by Alex McLeish for the friendly international against South Africa at Pittodrie last August but had to withdraw on the eve of the game because of injury.
"James would have been in my squad for the Croatia game," said Burley, "but he also had an injury at that stage. He has had a very good season, helping West Brom win the Championship. Kevin has also had a fine season with Cardiff and deserves his place in the squad.
"The Czechs are one of the best teams in Europe and it's going to be a stern test for us, but it's a game I felt we needed to take on with the World Cup campaign on the horizon."
&149 Scotland remain at 15th place in the Fifa international rankings for June, which were released yesterday. With no international matches of note played last month, there has been little change in the top 20. Argentina remain No 1, with England still outside the top 10 at No 11.
FIFA RANKINGS: 1 (1) Argentina 1,520 pts; 2 (2) Brazil 1,518; 3 (3) Italy 1,396; 4 (4) Spain 1,323; 5 (5) Germany 1,264; 6 (6) Czech Republic 1,244; 7 (7) France 1,205; 8 (8) Greece 1,196; 9 (9) Portugal 1,131; 10 Netherlands 1,123; 11 (11) England 1,098; 12 Romania 1,082; 13 (13) Croatia 1,044; 14 Ghana 1,010; 15 (15) Scotland 1,007; 16 (17) Cameroon 1,005; 17 (16) Mexico 998; 18 (18) Bulgaria 948; 19 (19) Colombia 909; 20 (20) Israel 905; 21 (21) USA 889. Others: 34 (34) Northern Ireland 704; 41 (42) Republic of Ireland 641; 52 (52) Wales 597.
The full article contains 934 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
