Russell gets Scotland call for USA game

Russell gets Scotland call for USA game

Published May. 15, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Dundee United forward Johnny Russell has earned his first call-up to the Scotland squad for their international friendly against the USA on Saturday May 26.

Wigan's Shaun Maloney has earned a recall to the squad.

Russell had been widely tipped for a call-up and Maloney was in impressive form toward the end of the Premier League season, grabbing the only goal of the game in a vital home win against Manchester United.

Maloney's last cap was against the Faroe Islands in November 2010. Scotland boss Craig Levein said: "Shaun Maloney is on fire just now.

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"It is no coincidence that the upturn in the fortunes of Wigan coincide with him coming back in the team.

"Shaun, James McArthur and Gary Caldwell, in the Wigan games I've seen recently, have almost always been their best players.

"Those three are bang on form and showing great fighting qualities and we will need that in the United States."

Levein says Russell is unlikely to feature in the match in Jacksonville but deserves to be involved with the senior squad after impressing with Billy Stark's men.

He said: "If you have a look back through the squads since I took over, I have made a conscious effort to try to include players who are doing well, or have done well, with the Under 21s squad.

"I felt with the season that Johnny has had that he deserves the opportunity this time around.

"It is more for his experience than anything else. It would be unlikely that he would play a part in the match."

Meanwhile, reports suggest Scotland are considering a three-way bid with Wales and Ireland to host the European Championships in 2020.

But Levein said: "The first I heard about it was when I was walking in the door just now.

"I haven't had a chance to even think about it.

"I've got enough on my plate just now with worrying about the game in the USA to start thinking about what happens in 2020."

Scotland squad to face USA:

Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolves), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby), Gary Caldwell (Wigan), Don Cowie (Cardiff), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Goodwillie (Blackburn), Craig Gordon (Sunderland), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton), Shaun Maloney (Wigan), Russell Martin (Norwich), James McArthur (Wigan), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Kenny Miller (Cardiff), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Johnny Russell (Dundee Utd), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Andy Webster (Hearts), Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
 

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