Scotland show their strength

Alex McLeish has named a 26-man squad for his first games in charge of Scotland in the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Georgia and Italy on 24 and 28 March.

Fletcher out
There are first call-ups for goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Iain Turner, while Jackie McNamara returns after a long-term injury. Manchester United FC midfielder Darren Fletcher is injured while Steven Pressley is suspended for the game against Georgia at Hampden Park but will be back to face the Azzurri in Bari. "The onus is on us to win at Hampden against Georgia," said McLeish, who is looking for a winning start to continue the momentum set by predecessor Walter Smith in leading Scotland to the top of Group B. "Four points out of six would be terrific."

Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander (Cardiff City FC), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian FC), Allan McGregor (Rangers FC), Iain Turner (Everton FC).

Defenders: Graham Alexander (Preston North End FC), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen FC), Gary Caldwell (Celtic FC), Christian Dailly (West Ham United FC), Stephen McManus (Celtic FC), Jackie McNamara (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Graeme Murty (Reading FC), Gary Naysmith (Everton FC), Steven Pressley (Celtic FC), David Weir (Rangers FC).

Midfielders: Scott Brown (Hibernian FC), Chris Burke (Rangers FC), Barry Ferguson (Rangers FC), Paul Hartley (Celtic FC), Lee McCulloch (Wigan Athletic FC), Nigel Quashie (West Ham United FC), Scott Severin (Aberdeen FC), Gary Teale (Derby County FC).

Forwards: Craig Beattie (Celtic FC), Kris Boyd (Rangers FC), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa FC), Kenny Miller (Celtic FC).