Scotland Squad Announced By Levein

Craig Levein announced his squad for the EURO2012 double header against the Czech Republic and Spain. Craig Gordon has been recalled despite his manager, Steve Bruce, hoping he would be spared to give him a few more weeks recovery time from a broken arm. There is also a return to the squad of Gary Caldwell who has recovered from a hip operation. New boy Jamie Mackie also gets in on the act.

The Queens Park Rangers striker expressed pride at his call-up to the Scotland squad for the games next month. Mackie has been rewarded for his goal-scoring exploits in the English Championship with a call-up to Levein’s squad, and dedicated his success to his Kilmarnock-born grandfather Graeme. He said: "I am extremely proud to be selected for this squad. Me and my grandfather used to speak about it a lot and it is a real honour for me to finally get the chance.It was something I always knew was possible. I knew I qualified to play for Scotland but I was not sure if anybody else knew. I have been given a bit more of a profile with QPR and I think people are now starting to take notice of me." 

Mackie’s previous clubs include Wimbledon, Milton Keynes Dons, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and even a loan spell at Sutton United, but he could now be in line to face the world's best in the next few weeks. He went on: "This has been a long road for me but I am nowhere near the end of it. I am not a player who has burst onto the scene as a teen - I've had to work very hard to get where I am. I suppose in a way it makes this more satisfying because I've had to work my way up. To be honest, the thought of playing against Spain, the world champions, is ridiculous but it makes no difference the opposition, I am just delighted to be involved."