Bannan set for senior call

03 November 2010 19:30

Craig Levein has revealed Barry Bannan could be one of several Scotland Under-21 players handed their chance in the senior side's friendly against the Faroe Islands later this month.

It is likely that the Scotland boss will face call-offs for what is an unattractive friendly at Pittodrie and he hinted that some of the international players at Rangers could be given some respite due to their Champions League exertions.

Asked if the Tartan Army could expect to see some new faces against the Faroe Islands on November 16, Levein said: "Yes. I don't want to sit here and name the squad because we will be doing that next week, but one or two of the more experienced guys won't be in because I feel that they have had a lot of games recently."

Levein will turn to Billy Stark's youngsters, who came close to qualifying for the 2011 European Championships last month - losing to Iceland in a two-legged play-off - and 20-year-old Aston Villa midfielder Bannan is top of the list.

Levein continued: "I want to win so I want to keep the nucleus of the team together, but I will be adding.

"The plan is to bring in young Barry Bannan, who has impressed me in the Under-21s and he is now appearing for Aston Villa.

"That's an indication that I want to look further afield, not just to the group that we have got, but for the future so there will be two or three younger lads as well.

"It's important for me to try and get as many players as we had on the field against Spain in the last game back together again.

"You are always hopeful as a manager that when you name your squad everyone will turn up, but we will see."

Scotland`s next competitive game is not until next September when the Euro 2012 qualification campaign resumes with games against the Czech Republic and Lithuania at Hampden.

Source: PA