Beattie promoted by Smith

Celtic striker Craig Beattie has been promoted to the senior Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Norway next month.

The 21-year-old was promoted to the bench from the Under-21 side in Austria last week.

And the forward, who has already scored three times for the Hoops this season, has done enough to impress Scotland boss Walter Smith.

Scotland captain Barry Ferguson returns to the squad after the players involved in European duty with their clubs were excused from the friendly in Graz.

Southampton winger Neil McCann is recalled to the 24-man squad for the game against the Italians at Hampden Park on September 3 before the match in Oslo four days later.

Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch also returns but Hibernian striker Derek Riordan drops out.