Lambert to lead Scotland challenge

Good news
The Celtic FC midfield player has been included in Vogts's 24-man squad for the friendly international with Norway in Oslo on 20 August. "Paul will stay with us now for the rest of the qualifying campaign and I'm very happy with that," said Vogts. "He was the man of the match in June against Germany when he was brilliant. This is good news for everyone - Paul is happy and so am I."

Tough test
Also selected are Newcastle United FC's Brian Kerr and Darren Fletcher of Manchester United FC. "Norway will be a tough test for us next week - you just need to look at the players in their squad who play in England and Germany to see that," said Vogts.

Big chance
"But this is a big, big chance for Darren and Brian to come in and maybe play for 30 minutes and give everyone a lift for the future," the coach continued. "By playing Darren next week it will give him a positive signal for the future."

Crucial games
Scotland currently lie in third place in EURO 2004™ Group 5 with eight points from five games, three behind leaders Germany and one adrift of Iceland. Vogts's side next face the Faroe Islands on 6 September before travelling to Dortmund to play Germany four days later.

Scotland squad
Alexander, Douglas, Gallacher, Alexander, Caldwell, Pressley, Ross, Webster, Wilkie, Cameron, Dailly, Devlin, Ferguson, Fletcher, Kerr, Lambert, McNamara, Naysmith, Rae, Crawford, Hutchison, McCann, McFadden, Thompson.