World Cup qual. - Scotland: Morrison misses out

Eurosport - Fri, 05 Sep 17:03:00 2008

Scotland midfielder James Morrison will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifying opener in Macedonia.

FOOTBALL 2008 - James Morrison, Scotland - 0

The West Brom player, 22, suffered a knee injury in his club's goalless draw at Bolton on Saturday and has been unable to train since.

He had been in contention to start the Group Nine clash in Skopje but was ruled out the day before the match.

Celtic's Barry Robson has been tipped to replace Morrison.

Pressley revealed he was a strong contender for the role.

"He hasn't featured a great deal for Celtic so far this season but the way he played at the end of last season suggested that he is a very good midfielder and that's the reason he is in the squad," Pressley said.

"He would bring a lot to the team and he's in our thoughts for the game."

Scotland's stand-in captain Stephen McManus has also been carrying an injury but Pressley confirmed the Celtic defender had recovered from his ankle problem.

"He trained the last few days," the coach said.

"Obviously, he got a knock in the Old Firm game but he has shown no effects from that and he'll be fine."

As well as the injury problems that have so far seen six players withdraw from the squad, the main concern for manager George Burley has been the prospect of searing heat in Skopje.

Temperatures are expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius tomorrow, but Pressley insists every precaution has been taken.

"It's a consideration, rather than a concern," he said.

"We need to make sure the players are properly refuelled for the game.

"We will also be taking that into consideration in terms of the way we go about the game.

"We still feel confident and we're desperate to get the right result.

"It's still early in the season. Fitness levels are at a high standard and that's a positive."

Pressley believes the information provided by former national team boss Craig Brown on tomorrow's opponents will prove invaluable.

He said: "I watched a number of DVDs on Macedonia and Craig Brown has given us an in-depth insight into them.

"There is no doubt they are a good team And their recent results reflect that.

"I still believe we can win the game. A draw would be a decent result but our intention is to win the game."

Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart, called up this week as an injury replacement, insists Scotland will not take Macedonia lightly.

He said: "The manager has spoken to us about a number of their players and we know they are quite danagerous in the final third.

"Craig Brown also spoke to the team as well but we need to focus on Scotland and what we can do to punish them."

As for the prospect of running around in the heat, Stewart added: "The players have not really spoken about it. I'm sure it will be addressed nearer the time.

"There is nothing we can do about it. We just have to get on with it."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 17 of 17

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  1. com on the scotland the day and get us off 2 a good start 2-1 THE TARTAN ARMY

    From sharonmclaughlan, on Sat 6 Sep 11:02AM

  2. Your right fifa rankings dont mean much because Scotland should be above England lets look at it Scotland just missed out on the euros with Italy (World champions) France (World runner up) Ukrane (world cup quater finalists) now look at England (Croatia and russia) and you didnt come close id be so embaressed about being english the only people that think you are any good is you LOL

    From clarkybull, on Sat 6 Sep 10:40AM

  3. Fifa rankings mean bugger all, are the United States or Mexico really worth their consistent 10-20th place in World Rankings? Enough said, Scotland are not 16th in the world either.

    From ChooseLife, on Sat 6 Sep 9:54AM

  4. scotland will win. thats all

    From andyalbagubrath, on Sat 6 Sep 4:36AM

  5. Just as long as we don't play like we did against Georgia (away from home) last year then I am optimistic. Macedonia are a decent team. Our away performance against the Georgians cost us a place at Euro 2008 - we were bloody awful, therefore our results against the French counted for nothing apart from pride and bragging rights. I'll take the draw as that means points on the board, and we can proced from there. Come on Scotland!

    From Alan R, on Fri 5 Sep 9:41PM

  6. to chas_robertson
    Mate u keep 4getin that we playin at home and players in GB complain when its 25degrees
    also holland in the qualifiers for world cup2006 was ranked top5 and were the only team that got points home and away so rankings dont mean @#$% all...
    Come on MAcedonia were finally ready 4 a big tournament we r a quality side so lets show it 2moro... Big hello from Australia 2 all Macedonians...

    From Aleksandar, on Fri 5 Sep 9:14PM

  7. I think Macedonia tommorow will show the best,bcs they are well prepared and our team is playing for longer period together.England almost failed two times here,and we know that we got 2 draws with England away.I really hope we gonna win this match.And for all Scotland fans who are not here in Skopje infomation that theyre collegues who arrived here have a lot of fun and they are impressed of how our girls looks.НАПРЕ& amp;#1044; МАКЕД&#1 054;НИЈА!!!!!!Greeting s from Republic of Macedonia

    From , on Fri 5 Sep 6:25PM

  8. Whatever! Maybe Scotlands Karma has changed, if not, then what difference does it make? It will just become another statistic an a few months time. Like all that has ever happened. Just a big waste of time and money. Take care folks. Best wishes. whatever they may be. GOURANGA GOURANGA GOURANGA

    From Kusum Sraman Swami M, on Fri 5 Sep 1:41PM

  9. why did craig brown ppoke the team and when did he develope a sstutter he he.

    From spike6278, on Fri 5 Sep 1:39PM

  10. Scotland to win and overtake England in the world rankings...

    From david, on Fri 5 Sep 1:34PM

  11. I think it'll be a tough game...ignore the Fifa rankings - Macedonia are a decent outfit...but if Scotland can produce the form they showed against the French home and away we should be in with a good chance of taking 3 points. Allot depends on the performances of our front players. COME ON SCOTLAND!!!

    From david, on Fri 5 Sep 1:09PM

  12. Scotland time to shine!!!!

    Africa here we come!!!!!!!!

    Scotland 2-1 Macedonia

    From cairns.graham@..., on Fri 5 Sep 12:47PM

  13. It would be an interesting match in Skopje. I am sure of a win by Macedonia.
    GO MACEDONIA!!!!!

    From Miki, on Fri 5 Sep 12:15PM

  14. 35 degrees or not there is no chance of macedonia getting a result against the scots.. Macedonia??? hardly a dominating world force in soccer (world ranked 56)..
    Scotland... With 2 fantastic victories against the 2006 world cup finalists are one of the most improved sides of the new millenium (world ranked 16).. you do the math..
    you should stick to tiddly winks or whatever your real national sport is and leave the footie to the real men.. (england are world ranked 15th by the way)

    From chas_robertson, on Fri 5 Sep 9:23AM

  15. GO MACEDONIA! We gonna kick some @#$% :)

    From tina_sk2003, on Fri 5 Sep 4:11AM

  16. All i can say is Scottish team r coming 4 noting because the weather is gonna b like 35degrees and they surely cant adapt in 1 day...
    On the other hand Macedonia has got their full squad i mean if we could draw againist the english we can definately beat Scotland no disrespect...
    GO Macedonia!!!

    From Aleksandar, on Thu 4 Sep 9:04PM

  17. Many young beautiful girls on ****Match Rich COM*** wanna marry a man like James. I did see some supermodels there. Maybe U guys can have a try.
    the wealthy men like seeking young beautiful girls there.

    From allens.sifia, on Thu 4 Sep 4:47PM
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