Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Reds Youngster Wilson Set For Scotland Call

Liverpool defender Danny Wilson will be given his first call-up to the Scotland squad when it is named on Thursday. The 18-year-old has only made one appearance for the Reds since his £2m summer transfer from Rangers - in a shock Carling Cup loss to Northampton. But Scotland coach Craig Levein will include Wilson in his squad for the friendly against the Faroe Islands on 16 November at Pittodrie. Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan is also certain to be in the party. Levein hinted at a call-up for 20- year-old Bannan earlier this month as he looks to experiment in Scotland's only international ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic at Hampden next September. Bannan has broken into the first team with Aston Villa this term Bannan had been a regular with Scotland Under-21s and has broken into the Villa first team this season, making seven appearances. Wilson has only played for the Under-21s on five occasions but is now in line for a step up to the seniors after he and Bannan were absent from Billy Stark's squad for their friendly with Northern Ireland on 17 November. The Livingston-born defender broke into the Rangers team in October 2009 and nine days later, against Unirea Urziceni, became the youngest player from Scotland to play in the Champions League. Wilson helped Rangers retain the Scottish title and win the Co- operative Insurance Cup, leading to him lifting national young player of the year awards. However, he rejected the offer of a new contract at Ibrox and moved to Anfield in the summer in a deal that could rise to £5m depending on appearances. So far, he has been restricted to one outing despite Liverpool's difficult start to the season under new manager Roy Hodgson. Wilson made an inauspicious beginning to his own Reds career as they lost on penalties in September to League Two side Northampton after a 2-2 draw and he was an unused substitute in last week's Europa League victory over Napoli. Scotland will host the Faroes looking to build on an acclaimed performance despite going down 3-2 to world champions Spain at Hampden in their Euro 2012 qualifier in October. The Faroes will themselves arrive in Aberdeen on the back of a creditable 1-1 draw at home to an in-form Northern Ireland.

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