Scots bullish despite injury blows

Scott Brown and Alan Hutton have both been ruled out of Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Wednesday.

The Old Firm duo were in inspirational form in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Ukraine at Hampden but both left the field carrying knocks.

Following assessment by medical staff this afternoon, both players have been forced to withdraw from the squad ahead of Wednesday’s game in Tbilisi.

Reading defender Graeme Murty has been added to the squad, along with Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Despite his injury setbacks, Scotland manager Alex McLeish hailed the return of Fletcher — who has not played since the victory over France on 12 September — as a major boost for his side’s qualification hopes.

“It’s fantastic news for us,” he said. “We will have to wait and see whether we start him or not.

“He has a big chance of playing, particularly with the injuries that we have and the people who may need to be rested. He is a big player. He is a Manchester United player and Manchester United players exude an aura.

“To be fair, the squad already has that aura because of the results and performances that they have already so I take my hat off to them. They have all been fantastic.”