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World Cup blow for Scots, with Miller set to pull out of squad



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Published Date: 07 October 2008
By ALEX GORDON
KENNY Miller is on the brink of a shock call-off from Scotland's World Cup squad.
The Rangers striker looks set to leave national team George Burley with a massive headache this morning after picking up a knock in the 1-0 defeat from St Mirren at Love Street on Sunday.

Miller was almost certain to start the crucial Group 9 encounter against Norway at Hampden on Saturday, but it now looks odds-on he will be sidelined.

He managed to last the full 90 minutes against the Paisley outfit. However, a leg knock has stiffened and he isn't likely to overcome it in time for Saturday's match.

Burley watched Miller score two goals in the 4-2 win over Celtic last month and was at Easter Road again nine days ago when the striker hammered in another two against Hibs in a 3-0 triumph. And it was Miller who netted in Burley's international managerial debut in the 1-1 draw with Croatia in the friendly at Hampden last season.

His enforced absence may now open the door for Wolves frontman Chris Iwelumo to make an unexpected debut at the weekend.

Burley sprung a surprise when he named the 30-year-old former St Mirren player in his squad last week. Iwelumo was never expected to start on Saturday, but he could now find himself catapulted straight into the team in a must-win confrontation.

Options up front have already been limited by the retirement from international football of Rangers striker Lee McCulloch, who is on his way back from injury. However, he has was able to name six strikers in his squad for this match, and as well as Iwelumo he still has James McFadden, Kris Boyd, Steven Fletcher and David Clarkson.

Nevertheless Miller's absence is a big blow to Burley's plans. With 11 goals in 40 games for Scotland he is the second top scorer in the squad, two goals behind McFadden – who was dropped by his club Birmingham City on Saturday.

Burley is already without three leading players in the shape of captain Barry Ferguson (injured), stand-in captain Stephen McManus (suspended) and full-back Alan Hutton (injured).

Burley was yesterday considering his selection options, with midfield pair Kevin Thomson and Kris Commons struggling with injuries. "It is unusual for us because it is usually at least five or six (out] by now, running up to eight or nine later on," said assistant manager Terry Butcher.

"That's why George named a 25 man squad rather than 23. We will wait and see who is out and who is doubtful. If we need to bring people in then we will do that."

Norway have concerns over key players too, with striker John Carew also picking up a knock when on club duty on Sunday. The Aston Villa player is not expected to train for two or three days as he recovers, leaving a question mark over his participation on Saturday's match. Carew's absence would be a big loss for Norway, because he is on form at the moment with five goals in ten games for Villa this season.

The Norwegians also have problems in midfield. Former captain Martin Andresen is set to undergo groin surgery in Germany today and will definitely miss the Hampden Park clash.

Head coach Age Hareide could also be without two more midfielders. Per Ciljan Skjelbred suffered a knee injury playing for Rosenborg on Sunday, with an initial diagnosis suggesting the 21-year-old will be out for between five and six weeks.

Fellow midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise is also doubtful after he did not play for his club, Lillestrom, on Sunday due to injury.

Norway have still to decide whether Rosenborg striker Steffen Iversen, who has a leg problem, will be fit enough to travel to Glasgow.

The injury deluge is bad news for the under-fire Hareide, who said: "A lot of things have happened this weekend.

"I can't give a clear answer as to how we solve these problems."

The full article contains 682 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 07 October 2008 10:34 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scotland's football team
 
1

,

07/10/2008 08:34:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

Political Exile,

Feeling sorry for the banks!! 07/10/2008 08:41:11
Riordan should be in the squad and ready for a 45 minute stint. Alternate him with Boyd and there must be a couple of goals between them.
3

,

07/10/2008 08:45:24
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

Jurgen Harbourmaster,

07/10/2008 09:06:36
Kenny pulls out of the Scotland squad, what a surprise!
5

Who?,

07/10/2008 09:10:59
Miller isn't an international class striker and really should only have been in the squad as cover.

Oconnor should be starting along side Mcfadden as a big with muscle who can put himself about playing along side a flair player with craft and guile would be a good combination against a good norway team.
6

Deano,

Over here 07/10/2008 09:31:58
He won't be missed...
7

Swordsman,

Dublin 07/10/2008 09:42:15
Team rivalry aside...Miller has never given less than 100% in a dark blue jersey and for that alone he will be missed.
The timing of the injury,of course, will again raise eyebrows around the country and we will wait with bated breath to see if Miller is back haring around the park for Rangers in their next match...

I realise that playing your football in Glasgow brings its own special scrutiny re injuries prior to a Scotland game but how many times have we seen this scenario?


8

darkhorse.,

07/10/2008 09:54:01
Yeh, lets leave him in there. After all Scotland are so good we can afford to play players of limited ability with injuries.
While we are at it Freguson has his ankle out of plaster so get that malingerer out on the park too.

Burke and Naismith are back to walking relatively unaided..Why are they not doing their bit for the nation?

As for Kevin Thiomson...well he could take the field on a stretcher ( thats how he left the park on Sunday)and could surely do a job at set peices.
9

Who?,

07/10/2008 10:00:53
#7- in you're previous posts you have claim that there is nothing dodgy about football in glasgow and that everybody involved with the OF and GFA are of the highest integrity.

Yet now you are questioning the injuries to rangers players before a scotland game- seems to me that somebody is showing symptoms of being a closet religi biggi...
10

porters at 9,

07/10/2008 10:05:16
rangers get beat - rangers player pulls out of scotland aquad - rangers player passed fir to play in rangers next game.. shock..
11

porters at 9,

07/10/2008 10:05:53
11 - rangers get beat - rangers player pulls out of scotland squad - rangers player passed fit to play in rangers next game.. shock..
12

Swordsman,

Dublin 07/10/2008 10:07:10
Who? the devil, as usual is in the detail so I refer you to the opening sentence where I put rivalry aside.

I should, of course,have clarified my last point by saying that this scenario is in no way confined to those who wear a light blue jersey..apologies for that and apologies to you #9 for giving you the opportunity to raise that tired old relli biggi theme in response to my post
13

Maroon tinted glasses,

07/10/2008 10:16:19
8 well it wouldnt suprise me if they did get the nod as most of them are signed to the old firm thus meaning they get automatic inclusion into the squad wether they have been playing or not.
14

darkhorse.,

07/10/2008 10:17:48
#11+12

It is so completely unfair on this wonderful nation. He had no right getting injured in the week before a big International. Some players just don't have the right approach to these big games. If he recovers within a fortnight from the original injury (as most atheletes do when its a muscle injury) he should miss the next club game...at least.

15

porters at 9,

07/10/2008 10:22:33
#15 - at least..
i'd prefer if they were just honest.

how many OF players have pulled out this year alone due to "injuries" and came right back the next game for their club.

Thing is Burley knows he's just as bad as previous managers - i'm sure they have to sign a disclaimer saying if an OF player pulls out it they have to quote the press saying - it's a untimely injury - or words to that affect..
16

Jurgen Harbourmaster,

07/10/2008 10:26:07
15 - Darkie,stop talking single-fish mate. Your like a wee drama queen sitting there. If he is running around in a week or two then of course there will be suspicions!

Are you trying to tell me that all of those Rangers call-offs over the last 10 years have been genuine. I'd laugh in your face if you even tried?
17

Geo1664,

Surrey 07/10/2008 10:33:01
seems to be a problem when rangers players pull out but not when other clubs players - have a look at the numbers from the last squad and where they play their club football...why not get over the petty OF point scoring and get behind the national team, irrespective of who starts, who's in the sqaud and what club they play for??
18

Swordsman,

Dublin 07/10/2008 10:35:05
18..Sounds like a plan to me....
19

Maroon tinted glasses,

07/10/2008 10:38:06
I agree with #2, Get rearend in the squad. The guy is one of the most natural goalscorers we have in scotland and he seems to be on a bit of form. Unfortunatley he would probably have stood a better chance if he had still been sitting in the reserves for cellic although i do remember him starring in his own racist youtube singsong whilst burley was in the jambo job and this may go against him.

And hopefully he may get a injury that would make him miss the derby!!
20

Jurgen Harbourmaster,

07/10/2008 10:43:25
20 - Thats the trouble with free speech, even an idiot has the right to use it!

Rear-end got how may caps as a Celtic reserve player?
21

Maroon tinted glasses,

07/10/2008 10:52:16
21, even get oconner back into the squad also, when those two played together they had been brilliant to watch (as much as it pains me to say). This is bigger than club football and we really need all the help we can get.
22

Jurgen Harbourmaster,

07/10/2008 10:57:23
22 - I'd have no problems with Riordan playing for Scotland - he is a top class finisher - and at higher levels then its class that often makes a difference. Riordan regularly shows that - on the park, nuff said -and the more flair players we have in the side, the better.

O'Connor, no. Hes not playing regularly and appears to be an even bigger eedgit than Riordan off the park which in turn makes him look like a big fat mental patient when on it these days
23

Helter Skelter,

07/10/2008 11:30:21
Saw the picture of KM above and wondered if it was taken during the Saint Mirren game...then I remembered that the rearrangerz got pumped 1v0.

Mind you , mabey Kenny celebrates when he gets close to scoring...you couldnae blame 'im could ye?
24

Helter Skelter,

07/10/2008 11:37:01
Watched sportscene last night and had to admire young McGinn's sublime strike.

Mind you, had the Celtic defence hung back like that , we'd have been slaughtered in the columns of the laptoployalists.

But McGinn saw the rearrangerz defence saying, on you go son, take yir time, tee it up noo, left fit or right fit ?

BANGGGG!!!! Curling sweetly into the top left corner leaving McGregor looking like he was hailing a taxi.
And the Champions gave a wicked grin, straightened their ties and toasted their return to the top of the league.
25

Helter Skelter,

07/10/2008 11:44:23
Champions Celtic lead the race as we head into the international break.
Rearrangerz had a wee shot of being no.1, but it was never to last.

The Scottish Champions have been dominating the spl since the turn of the century - since its inception in fact - and that trend looks set to continue as the bhoys keep scoring and keep on winning.

The rearrangerz will be grinding their teeth...they had taken top spot and declared themselves 'champions elect'...they didn't learn their lessons from last season when at the same stage of the season they assured us they would make the last 16, win the title and that Champions Celtic would be lucky to make UEFA.

The hard lessons continue.
26

Star o' Rabbie Burns,

New Cumnock, CUMNOCK 07/10/2008 11:44:28
#Helter Skelter: looks to me as if the KM picture was taken at Easter Road.

It is unfortunate that Rangers have at least an 80-year-long history of not making players available for Scotland, going back at least as far as Scotland's first post-season European trip in 1929. This means, every time a Rangers player drops out of a Scotland squad, eyebrows are raised.

However, what about the other aspect to this. In every domestic game they play the Old Firm are facing a team comprising at least eight guys who are trying that wee bit harder than they normally do - the other side's supporters who badly want to beat them and their own supporters who want equally-desperately to show they are good enough for their half of the divide. This leads to heavier challenges and more risk of injury.

Kevin Thomson's playing style makes him particularly vulnerable to injury I might suggest.
27

Swordsman,

Dublin 07/10/2008 11:49:42
Star....Re Scotland's first post-season European trip in 1929......Davie Weir says he was fit for the game but had Diptheria at home and the Wall St crash had left him potless so couldnt pay his own fare....
28

,

07/10/2008 12:02:19
Comment Removed By Administrator
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