Scotland Manage To Get A Squad On The Plane For Japan

Some have questioned the need for a trip across the world to Japan for a friendly game, at least two people are all in favour of the game. Watford midfielder Don Cowie was stunned and delighted to receive his call-up to the Scotland squad. Manager George Burley had to dig out his phone book to add Cowie to his plans to play Japan in Yokohama on Saturday after being hit by a number of withdrawals through injury. Cowie said: "It was a big shock when I got the call, but I'm over the moon. It's been a bit of a whirlwind. I got a call from my manager to tell me the news and now I can't wait to go away with the squad. I know there have been a lot of withdrawals, but that doesn't take anything away." Before flying out from Glasgow airport yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Scotland's boss George Burley alsoadded Norwich's Stephen Hughes to the squad in London for the flight to the Far East.

Gary Caldwell is another that is able to see something beneficial of undertaking the 11,000-mile round trip for Saturday's game in Yokohama. Caldwell, who will start in Japan alongside Celtic team-mate Stephen McManus, believes that, if nothing else, the prospect of seeing how new players cope at international level justifies the trip. Caldwell said :"It is always worthwhile. There is something you can learn in any game of football. We are going to play a top side who have qualified for the World Cup and as players we have to go there and give it our best and I'm sure there will be something to learn from everyone on the night. The call-offs are disappointing but that is international football. It is something that happens especially at this time of the year because of so many Champions League and Europa League games. Players are carrying niggles all the time and if they can't make it they can't make it and we have to get on with what we've got. It's an opportunity for someone to stake a claim, to go and show the manager what they can do and so we could unearth a few players that we never knew we had."

Caldwell, like McManus, may also welcome the break from club football. Neither is flavour of the month with Celtic boss Tony Mowbray who has recently criticised both players and Hoops' team-mate Glenn Loovens. Mowbray insists the trio's lack of consistency means he will continue to mix and match his central defence. Caldwell was dropped to the bench for Sunday's Old Firm defeat by Rangers at Ibrox but was boosted by the backing he and McManus received from Burley. Caldwell said: "My confidence is great. It hurts me when I don't play games and the fact that I had to sit and watch us getting beat (at Ibrox) hurt me but you have to pick yourself up, work hard and look to the next game and that is on Saturday. It's great to have the national team manager back you. Everyone has an opinion on the game and in times likes this people want to jump on the bandwagon and the Celtic defence seems to be the topic at the minute. The Scotland manager has come out and backed me and that's all you can ask for. Stephen and I have to get back to defending and doing the simple things and we are looking forward to the game on Saturday to get that opportunity."

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith knows there are always valid reasons why squads get affected by call-offs for a friendly.  The former Rangers and Brighton player said: "Knowing from my own days as a player, if it is competitive game and it is important, you might play with an injury and a lot of players do, whereas if it is a friendly it might be taking a risk. If you are an established player and you think you could be putting yourself out for a length of time, that could be considered."