SCOTLAND flew out to Prague today with a shadow squad to face Euro 2008 finalists Czech Republic.

National boss George Burley has just 18 players to choose from for tomorrow's 4.30 kick-off.

On his debut as Scotland coach, against Croatia in March, Burley was hit by seven call-offs, and his second match is no better - with TEN players excused duty.

Steven Fletcher, Kris Boyd, Kevin Thomson, Steven Whittaker, Alan Hutton, James McFadden pulled out the original squad.

Barry Ferguson, Davie Weir, Lee McCulloch and Scott Brown had already been excused.

The loss of Fletcher leaves Burley with only four forwards - Kenny Miller, Shaun Maloney and uncapped Motherwell pair David Clarkson and Ross McCormack.

Given the number of first-choice players missing, Burley could be forgiven for adopting a damage- limitation approach. But he believes that would tell him nothing about his side, and remains determined to try and bounce the Czechs.

"We'll try to be positive," he said. "We know it's going to be tough, but I've got a group of players who are hungry and passionate about playing for their country. So we won't be going there to roll over. We want to play well and get the right build up for the World Cup qualifiers."

Celtic skipper McManus is ready to play, despite a recurrence of the groin injury which has plagued him for more than 18 months.

The big defender is expected to lead the side out in the absence of regular captain Ferguson.

Burley's set his players a special challenge in Prague. He wants them to prove they would not have looked out of place had they managed to qualify for next month's Euro Finals.

The Czechs have been tipped to lift the trophy in Switzerland and Austria. And Burley believes that, having drawn 1-1 with the fancied Croatians two months ago, another decent result and performance would confirm Scotland's place as one of the fastest improving nations in Europe.

It is also the last away game before Burley's side kick off their World Cup qualifiers in September with back-to-back road trips inside four days to Macedonia and Iceland.

He said: "For the Czech Republic - ranked seventh in the world - this is the last game in their preparation for the Euros, and their focus is on that. Our focus is on the World Cup games in September, so it's important to get the right preparation for the matches starting against Macedonia.

"We know this game will be very stern test. But it's one in which we are looking to perform well and from which we want to take something.

"We showed against Croatia in March that, even with seven call-offs, we could still do well. It was terrific."