FIFA rules headache for Smith

SCOTLAND manager Walter Smith fears his preparations for the start of the European Championship qualifiers could be damaged by FIFA.

Smith wants to bring his players together for at least one international at the end of the season as he fine-tunes his squad for their opening game next September.

But he faces a problem as football’s world governing body have requested a break in fixtures so that the players on World Cup finals duty can recover for the new season.

So far the Scotland boss will only get to see his players in action against the US at Hampden Park today and against Switzerland at the same venue next March.

Smith has left James McFadden out of today’s starting line-up, with Shaun Maloney, Garry O’Connor and Derek Riordan fighting to start.