International news

Naismith misses Brazil tie

March 21, 2011

Rangers midfielder Steven Naismith has withdrawn from the Scotland squad for Sunday's friendly with Brazil with hamstring and groin injuries, assistant manager Peter Houston has confirmed.

Steven Naismith will be unable to test himself against some of the world's best
GettyImagesSteven Naismith will be unable to test himself against some of the world's best

Naismith picked up the injuries in Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic at Hampden and did not join the rest of the Scotland players who flew out from Glasgow airport on Monday for a week's training camp in Spain.

Goalkeeper Cameron Bell has been drafted in as a replacement for Iain Turner who called off with injury over the weekend.

Scotland assistant Houston said: "Steven has a hamstring and groin injury from yesterday and Iain Turner is also out.

"Phil Bardsley and Scott Brown, who took a knock yesterday as well, are joining us but we will need to assess them over there.

"We will look to see if we need to bring anyone else in and Craig (Levein) and I will discuss it.''