SCOTLAND manager George Burley praised Kirk Broadfoot for forcing his way in to his squad despite having "limited ability".
After Burley was hit by six call-offs before the World Cup qualifying double-header against FYR Macedonia and Iceland, the Rangers defender was called in to the squad along with keeper Jamie Langfield and midfielder Michael Stewart. Burley revealed B
roadfoot's performance against Aiden McGeady in Sunday's Old Firm win at Parkhead confirmed his place in the squad. He said: "It's great to see somebody, you've got to say maybe with limited ability, who has really worked hard at his game and progressed and held his own in Europe.
"Kirk is a player who has progressed. Going from St Mirren to Rangers has been a big test for him. But he commanded a regular place in the Rangers team all last season and played in their European games and we saw on Sunday how much he has improved as a full-back. I thought he was outstanding against Aiden McGeady, who is one of the best wide players in Britain.
"He is a determined character and we need those type of people away from home, especially in World Cup qualifying games. So I had no hesitation in bringing him to the squad."
Burley questioned the wisdom of the scheduling of an Old Firm game so close to an international week after losing Ibrox midfielder Kevin Thomson to injury while Hoops defender Stephen McManus fights to recover from an ankle knock.
But Broadfoot, who described his call-up as "a dream come true", disagreed with Burley saying: "An Old Firm game is probably the perfect preparation for players to go and play for Scotland.
"You've come out of probably the hardest game in the league."
The full article contains 301 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
