Maloney back for Scotland's World cup qualifiers

Shaun Maloney has been recalled to the Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland next month.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who rejoined Celtic last week after an unhappy spell at Aston Villa, has been rewarded for his display in Saturday's Premier League victory over Falkirk.

Maloney was left out of the squad for last Wednesday's friendly against Northern Ireland but started manager George Burley's second game in charge against Croatia in March.

The Scotland manager named 11 players from Celtic and Rangers in his 25-man squad ahead of the qualifiers against Macedonia in Skopje on September 6 and in Reykjavik, Iceland, four days later.

His previous three squads, for friendlies against Croatia, the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland, were all hit hard by withdrawals and he already heads into the crucial double-header without injured key duo Barry Ferguson and Alan Hutton.

With so many players involved in a single match at Parkhead on Sunday, Burley admits it will be a tense 90 minutes from his own point of view.

"Fingers and toes will be crossed watching that game," he said.

"We've had three friendly games, which have given me the chance to have a look at players.

"I have the team in my mind and we will see who is going to be available. We need luck.

"We've been unfortunate with Barry Ferguson and Alan Hutton, who are two key players. "But we have other players who can take their place and it's important they are all focused for the challenge ahead."

One player likely to be involved in the first Old Firm derby of the season is Maloney, who has received a recall to the Scotland squad after just 70 minutes of action for Celtic following his move from Aston Villa back to Parkhead.

Burley said: "I spoke to Shaun and he feels with a couple of games under his belt he will be 100 percent and back to his best, so I have no hesitation in bringing him back into the squad.

"When you move to a new club, sometimes it takes time to settle.

But, I suppose, with Shaun it's not a new club. "I think it has given him a new lease of life.

"He's a little spark, he's a very inventive player, he can play off the striker and wide on the left. He's got ability and that's something you want in your squad.

"He has missed a bit of football but he certainly looked lively on Saturday."

Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland Goalkeepers:

Craig Gordon (Sunderland), David Marshall (Norwich City), Allan McGregor (Rangers) Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley), Darren Barr (Falkirk), Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Callum Davidson (Preston North End), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United), David Weir (Rangers) Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Derby County), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Barry Robson (Celtic), Kevin Thomson (Rangers) Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers), David Clarkson (Motherwell), James McFadden (Birmingham City), Kenny Miller (Rangers), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham City)

Sapa-AFP