Vogts calls on Gould

Scotland coach Berti Vogts has today named the 25-man squad he hopes can shock the Netherlands in the upcoming UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off.

Two surprises
Vogts' side face the Dutch at Hampden Park on 15 November with the return leg four days later in the Amsterdam ArenA. The two major surprises in an otherwise predictable squad are the inclusions of Preston North End FC goalkeeper Jonathan Gould and uncapped Motherwell FC midfielder Stephen Pearson.

Excellent form
Pearson has been in excellent form this season and has played a key role in helping Rainer Bonhof's Scotland Under-21 side reach the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs. Gould has been drafted in as back-up to first-choice keeper Robert Douglas of Celtic FC, who has fallen out of favour at club level and made only three appearances since 21 August - all for his country.

Lambert missing
Vogts is without injured skipper Paul Lambert, meaning that Blackburn Rovers FC midfield player Barry Ferguson will continue as stand-in captain after leading Scotland to victory against Lithuania last month in the game which confirmed their play-off place. The matchwinner on that occasion - Manchester United FC's teenage star Darren Fletcher - may be in line for a central midfield role as a result of Lambert's absence.

Cameron doubt
Vogts has named Wolverhampton Wanderers FC midfield player Colin Cameron in his squad despite doubts over a pelvic injury. He is also hoping injuries to Dundee FC's Gavin Rae and Southampton FC's Neil McCann also clear up in time for the visit of the Dutch.

Fans' enthusiasm
Scotland fans are enthused about the games despite their team's underdog status. Around 25,000 fans queued - many of them camping out overnight - to try and snap up 11,000 public sale tickets for the first leg guaranteeing that Hampden Park will be a 50,000 sell-out.

Scotland squad
N Alexander,  Douglas, Gould, G. Alexander, Caldwell, Dailly, McNamara, Pressley, Ross, Webster, Wilkie, Cameron, Devlin, Ferguson, Fletcher, Naysmith, Pearson, Rae, Crawford, Dickov, Gray, Hutchison, McCann, McFadden, Miller.