Keeper Esson given Scotland call

SCOTLAND v MOLDOVA

Aberdeen goalkeeper Ryan Esson has been called up to the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Belarus.
It follows the withdrawal of Celtic's Rab Douglas with a heel injury.

The 25-year-old Esson has this season won his battle for the Dons goalkeeper's jersey with David Preece.

Midfielder Nigel Quashie, strikers Stevie Crawford and Garry O'Connor and defenders Gary Naysmith and David McNamee are also missing for Scotland.

There are also doubts about Darren Fletcher, with a hamstring problem, and fellow midfielder Brian O'Neil.

O'Neil received six stitches to an ankle wound picked up in Preston North End's play-off final defeat by West Ham United.

Manager Walter Smith had brought in Hibernian midfielder Ian Murray after the earlier withdrawals.

Despite Esson's arrival, Douglas' place will be taken at Hampden Park on Saturday against Moldova by either Hearts' Craig Gordon or Celtic team-mate David Marshall.

Douglas, who is poised to leave Celtic to join Leicester City on a free transfer, had needed pain-killing injections to get him through Saturday's Scottish Cup final victory over Dundee United.

The 22-year-old Gordon replaced Douglas in the last game, the 2-0 defeat in Italy in March, when the Celtic goalkeeper suffered a groin injury in the first half.

But Marshall, two years younger, has also already played for the full international side.

O'Connor was sent home suffering from a back problem, while Crawford picked up a knock during United's Hampden final defeat.

That has limited manager Walter Smith's attacking options for a side that have netted just once in four qualifiers so far.

But Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Kenny Miller was confident there was enough fire-power remaining to down both eastern European nations.

"The forwards have scored quite a few goals for their clubs this year, but obviously at international level it is a different kettle of fish," he said.

"But I am sure whoever is playing on Saturday will be confident going into the game that they will manage to nick a goal for the team."

Southampton midfielder Quashie had travelled with the squad after a scan on a knee injury but was considered not fit enough to play.

But Manchester United midfielder Fletcher is hopeful of playing despite his hamstring problem.

The Scots know they must beat Moldova on Saturday and then pick up points in Minsk on 8 June to have any chance of making the play-offs.

Very surprised he has been called up but I can't say he doesn't deserve it. I have never been his biggest fan but full credit to the lad for knuckling down in training and taking his chance when he got it.