Scotland picks trusted soccer squad

Press, 13 November 1985, Page 80

Scotland picks trusted soccer squad

NZPA-AAP London Scotland has relied almost entirely on tried and trusted internationals in choosing its squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Australia later this month. The Scotland manager, Mr Alex Ferguson, is determined that his squad will extinguish Australia’s hopes long before the 20,000 km journey half way around the world for the return leg.

The sole experiment in the squad, which will play Australia on November 20 at Hampden Park in the first leg of knockout competition for a place in Mexico in 1986, is West Ham’s Frank McAvennie. Mr Ferguson said: “We want to eradicate any problems that there might be on the trip to Australia, so the best place to finish the tie is on our own doorstep.” He admitted, however, that he is impressed with

tile Socceroos, even though they are not among the world’s leading football nations. He said: “They are brave, well organised and have a good team spirit. “They were not overawed by a big crowd in Israel, and they play as if every tackle means something to them.” Mr Ferguson, as expected, has recalled Manchester United’s Gordon Strachan, and Jim Bett, of

Aberdeen, who both missed last month’s goal-less draw with East Germany because of injury. Also back in contention for a team place is the Barcelona striker, Steve Archibald. The Scotland squad to meet Australia is: Jim Leighton (Aberdeen), Alan Rough (Hibernian), Andy Goram (Oldham), Richard Gough (Dundee United), Arthur Albiston (Man Utd), Maurice Malpas (Dundee Utd), Alex

McLeish (Aberdeen), Willie Miller (Aberdeen), Alan Hansen (Liverpool), Steve Nicol (Liverpool), Roy Aitken (Celtic), Graeme Souness (Sampdoria), Paul McStay (Celtic), Gordon Strachan (Man Utd), Jim Bett (Aberdeen), Murdo Macleod (Celtic), Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool), Steve Archibald (Barcelona), Maurice Johnston (Celtic), David Speedie (Chelsea), Graeme Sharp (Everton), Frank McAvennie (West Ham), Davie Cooper (Rangers).