SCOTLAND manager George Burley appears to have called time on the international careers of Rangers veterans Davie Weir and Christian Dailly.
And there were also surprise omissions for Ibrox team-mate Lee McCulloch and Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney in the squad named today for next week's friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden. Squad for N Ireland
Gordon Sunderland
Marshall Norwich
McGregor Rangers
Barr Falkirk
Berra Hearts
Caldwell Celtic
Davidson Preston
McManus Celtic
McNaughton Cardiff
Naysmith Sheff Utd
Whittaker Rangers
Brown Celtic
Commons Derby
Fletcher Man Utd
Hartley Celtic
Morrison West Brom
Rae Cardiff
Robson Celtic
Thomson Rangers
Boyd Rangers
Clarkson Motherwell
Fletcher Hibernian
McFadden Birmingham
Miller Rangers
Falkirk defender Darren Barr and Derby winger Kris Commons were the two new boys called up by Burley, along with uncapped Gers duo Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker. Both Weir and Dailly said they would make themselves available for the World Cup 2010 qualification campaign after many expected them to call time on their international careers after the unsuccessful Euro 2008 bid.
Weir has represented his country on 61 occasions. The 38-year-old's last appearance came against Italy in the 2-1 defeat last November.
Although Burley left him out of the squads for the friendly fixtures against Croatia and the Czech Republic, most expected him to return for the qualifying campaign.
The clash with Northern Ireland is Burley's last chance to prepare for their opening qualifying clash with Macedonia and, by failing to select Weir, it appears as though he now favours younger options.
Burley said: "There are a number of older players with experience who I know can do a job and when the World Cup qualifiers begin I will probably look to bring one or two of these experienced boys back in.
"No-one has been ruled out. I just want to take this opportunity to have a look at some of the younger players."
Celtic captain Stephen McManus will take over the armband from the injured Barry Ferguson and also for the opening three qualifying clashes against Macedonia, Iceland and Norway.
He is expected to be joined at the heart of the defence by his Parkhead team-mate Gary Caldwell. Motherwell striker David Clarkson has kept his place while Preston's Callum Davidson is recalled.
Burley knows his preparations are almost complete and is looking forward to the competitive action.
He added: "The Northern Ireland match important. We'll have one eye on our game with Macedonia as we name our starting line-up and hopefully they can show the form they have in previous games."
Burley has set a target for qualification for the South Africa Finals.
"We only have eight games in the group and we'll be looking for at least 17 points to qualify." Celtic's Paul Caddis, Scott Cuthbert and Ryan Conroy are joined by Rangers striker Steven Lennon in Billy Stark's squad for the Uefa U-21 qualifier against Lithuania in Suduva tomorrow week (5pm).
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