Our right back had been expecting to report for the national U21 squad ahead of the Wednesday’s friendly against Northern Ireland at Firhill but a phone call from the SFA on Sunday gave him a chance to join that elite band who have full Scotland caps.
The record books will not make any mention of those who withdrew from Craig Levein’s original squad or of the detractors who argued that a ‘meaningless friendly’ in November against poor opposition should not have been scheduled. The record will show that Saunders earned a full cap for his twenty minute appearance in the second half of our 3-0 win against the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie. He follows in the footsteps of Clarkson as the last Motherwell player to play for Scotland. Congratulations Steven, make the best of your opportunities.
The prospect of another claret and amber regular turning out in dark blue was raised by the national manager as he looked ahead to his team’s next outing (against Northern Ireland in February). “I am constantly looking for new players and we hope to get Humphrey at Motherwell involved.”
Saunders’ defensive colleague, Stephen Craigan, had to withdraw from he NI team and he’ll now have to wait for cap number 53. He explained that a slight groin strain would be better resting through the week so that he was fir for our trip to Paisley at the weekend.
There was a posh dinner at the Glasgow Hilton on Sunday evening and Craig Brown was enlisted to the Hampden Hall of Fame in recognition of his long service to Scottish football. The back tie affair has become an annual event and features lots of mutual recognition and back slapping in and around the football establishment. Those who argue that our game is overpriced would smile at the £110+vat entry price for this event!
As we approach the midway point in the campaign, the club has announced prices for half-season tickets. They kick off with the Boxing Day game against Rangers and offer substantial savings over gate prices. The best buy has to be the Cooper family ticket that enables an adult and two kids to see a minimum of nine games for £150. Full details are on the official site.