McFadden and Lescott boost Blues

Everton boss David Moyes heads into the 206th Merseyside derby believing the Blues will feel the benefit of James McFadden and Joleon Lescott’s international exploits.

Moyes reckons defender Joleon Lescott’s experiences with England on his debut will make him a better player.

And the Scot has been impressed with the way McFadden, an inspirational figure in Scotland’s bid for Euro 2008 qualification, has taken club and country demands in his stride.

Lescott figured in England’s Moscow disaster in midweek while McFadden’s goal scoring heroics were missing as Scotland lost in Georgia.

Moyes, who still insists that his countrymen will reach the Euro 2008 finals, said: “I believe playing for England will have done Lescott the world of good. He was with the best players in the country and did not look out of place.

“He did the job he was asked to do and handled it well. It can only help improve him.

“As for James McFadden, he is doing well in internationals and for Everton.

“Faddy is the one who is giving us (Scotland) a real ray of hope and a belief that we can qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

“The performance in midweek was disappointing by Scotland but he has done so well against the likes of France and Ukraine.

“If someone had asked at the beginning of the group whether we would have taken a game with Italy as one that could get you to the finals then yes we would.

“I am still confident that Scotland will qualify. This is the way we always seem to do things.

“Faddy is maturing, he has done well for us in Europe as well as for Scotland.

“He copes much better now with the pressures of the game and those surrounding it. He has become a really good professional.

“He arrived back very late from Georgia, something like 5am and then there was another delay on his flight back to Liverpool but he is getting used to that sort of thing now. He’s OK for the match.”