Douglas blow for Scotland

Scotland goalkeeper Robert Douglas has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifying double-header with Moldova and Belarus.

The Celtic goalkeeper, who is about to leave the club to join Leicester on a free transfer, has been suffering from a heel problem.

Pain-killing injections had been needed to get him through his final game for the Hoops, the 1-0 win over Dundee United in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

That opens the door for Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon to add to his cap tally, starting at Hampden Park on Saturday.

The 22-year-old replaced Douglas in the last game, the 2-0 defeat in Italy in March, when the Celtic goalkeeper suffered a groin injury in the first half.

David Marshall, the 20-year-old Celtic goalkeeper, will act as back-up.

Manager Walter Smith also has a number of unresolved injury doubts, with striker Garry O’Connor suffering from a back problem.

Midfielder Darren Fletcher is hopeful of playing despite a hamstring problem and utility man Brian O’Neil has had six stitches in an ankle injury.

Midfielder Nigel Quashie was regarded as the most serious doubt because of a knee injury but following a scan yesterday the Southampton man is to travel up to join the squad.

The Scots know they must beat Moldova on Saturday and then pick up points in Minsk on June 8 to have any chance of making the play-offs.