Scotland call for striker Beattie

Beattie has been in good form for Celtic

Celtic striker Craig Beattie has been called up by Scotland manager Walter Smith for September's World Cup qualifiers with Italy and Norway.

Beattie, 21, scored twice for the Under-21s against Austria last week and has netted three times as a substitute for Celtic this season.

Derek Riordan and Stevie Crawford are not included, while Gary Naysmith, Paul Dickov and Gary Caldwell are injured.

Winger Neil McCann is recalled despite not having played this season.

The Southampton player is recovering from surgery but Smith hopes he will be fit for the the game against the Italians at Hampden Park on 3 September before the match in Oslo four days later.

Smith revealed youngsters Beattie and Garry O'Connor got the nod because of their robust attacking styles.

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It shows a distinct lack of vision, ambition and self-belief for Scotland to continually omit players like Riordan and Maloney From Alfred Have your say on 606

"Craig's played exceptionally well since the season has started and played very well for the Under-21 team," said Smith.

"We will be bringing younger players in and out and Lee Miller is one of those who is unfortunate not to be in.

"Craig Beattie and Garry O'Connor have a physical presence that will be required against Italy and Norway.

"One or two players have a lot of pace and I'm sure that will be required at some stage as well."

Hibernian's Riordan was also left out of the Under-21 squad but Smith put that down to the fact that he was still a part of his senior squad and the "psychological" affect of demotion.

The Scotland boss added: "The boys who step up to the national squad will all appear in the national team again at different times until their careers start to settle down.

"They have taken a step forward, maybe too early compared to other country's situation regarding players.

"But now they are settling in around the first-team squad rather than for the Under-21s."

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Scotland:

Goalkeepers : Robert Douglas (Leicester), Craig Gordon (Hearts), David Marshall (Celtic)
Defenders : Graham Alexander (Preston), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Steven Caldwell (Sunderland), Christian Dailly (West Ham), Jackie McNamara (Wolves), Steven Pressley (Hearts), Andy Webster (Hearts), David Weir (Everton)
Midfield: Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Hearts), Neil McCann (Southampton), Lee McCulloch (Wigan), Ian Murray (Rangers), Brian O'Neil (Preston), Nigel Quashie (Southampton)
Forwards: Craig Beattie (Celtic), James McFadden (Everton), Kenny Miller (Wolves), Garry O'Connor (Hibernian), Steven Thompson (Rangers).