Scotland manager Alex McLeish named the national squad for the first time since taking over from Walter Smith, but expressed disappointment at missing Manchester United’s injured midfielder Darren Fletcher for the Euro 2008 Group B qualifiers with Georgia and Italy.

McLeish said: "It's a huge loss because he is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and playing at a level where he is getting top level experience.

"So you want to have these guys going into European championship campaigns with the national team or world Cup campaigns."

Scotland top Group B with nine points from four games. Italy are third on seven. Georgia have three.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander (Cardiff), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Iain Turner (Everton)

Defenders: Graham Alexander (Preston), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (West Ham), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Jackie McNamara (Wolves), Graeme Murty (Reading), Gary Naysmith (Everton), Steven Pressley (Celtic), Davie Weir (Rangers)

Midfielders: Scott Brown (Hibernian), Chris Burke (Rangers), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Lee McCulloch (Wigan), Nigel Quashie (West Ham), Scott Severin (Aberdeen), Gary Teale (Derby County)

Forwards: Craig Beattie (Celtic), Kris Boyd (Rangers), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa), Kenny Miller (Celtic).

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