Vogts names youthful squad
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
Article summary
Scotland manager Berti Vogts had an eye on the future when he named his squad to face Nigeria.
Article body
Scotland manager Berti Vogts had an eye on the future when he named his squad to face FIFA World Cup hopefuls Nigeria in a friendly international in Aberdeen on 17 April.
Young talent
The former World Cup winner and Germany coach, who took over the Scotland role in February, has included 18-year-old Hibernian FC striker Garry O'Connor, 20-year-old Gareth Williams of Nottingham Forest FC and 21-year-old Manchester United FC midfield player Michael Stewart.
Goal streak
O'Connor has scored in Hibernian's last five games to rocket into international contention, while hard-running Williams has had an impressive season for Forest in the English first division. Stewart, however, has played just three times for United this season. At the other end of the age scale, 29-year-old Preston North End FC defender Graham Alexander also received his first call-up.
Crushing defeat
Vogts, whose first game in charge was a crushing 5-0 defeat by France last month, also announced today that Scotland's Far East tour has now been confirmed. They will play the Korean Republic in Busan on 16 May, then two matches in the Hong Kong tournament on 20 and 23 May. In preparation for the tour Scotland will play a practice match against Scottish Premier League outfit Dundee United FC on 30 April.
Scotland squad
Douglas, Gallacher, Sullivan, Caldwell, Crainey, Dailly, Davidson, Matteo, McNaughton, Ross, Weir, Alexander, Ferguson, Gemmill, Hughes, Lambert, Stewart, Stockdale, Williams, Crawford, Dickov, Johnston, McCann, O'Connor, Thompson.
