McGregor recalled to Scotland squad

Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor is back from international exile after being named in the squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Sweden in Stockholm.

McGregor was handed a lifetime ban from Scotland duty for his part in an infamous drinking scandal in April 2009, but that decision was overturned by manager Craig Levein when he took over from George Burley in December.

The Rangers player was left out of Levein’s first squad to play the Czech Republic at Hampden in March after sustaining an eye injury in an incident in Glasgow.

But Levein is without his number one Craig Gordon due to a broken arm and McGregor will take over in goal.

“Craig is out and in all reality, Allan will start in goals, that’s no big secret,” Levein said.

“Allan is an able deputy. All the stuff that has happened in the past will linger now and then but I am trying my best to get away from that.

“Allan has played in big matches and this match won’t faze him.”

Levein has also recalled Stephen McManus after dropping the Middlesbrough defender for the Czech Republic game.

Levein called up four Middlesbrough players in total with Kevin Thomson, Barry Robson and Kris Boyd accompanying McManus up from the Riverside.

Rangers striker Kenny Miller was named despite shin splints hampering him during the Ibrox club’s pre-season trip to Sydney and team-mate Kirk Broadfoot returns after fully recovering from the injury problems which blighted him last season.

Scotland kick off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a double-header against Lithuania and Liechtenstein at the start of September.

“Between now and the start of actual qualifiers is the most important part and I will look at who is in form and make up my own mind for the Lithuania and Liechtenstein games,” Levein added.

Scotland squad to face Sweden in their friendly match in Stockholm on Wednesday August 11.

Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander (Rangers), David Marshall (Cardiff) Allan McGregor (Rangers)

Defenders: Alan Hutton (Tottenham), Christophe Berra (Wolves), Kirk Broadfoot (Rangers), Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough), Lee Wallace (Hearts), Andy Webster (Rangers), Steven Whittaker (Rangers)

Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Scott Brown (Celtic), Graham Dorrans (West Brom), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Lee McCulloch (Rangers), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough), Kevin Thomson (Middlesbrough

Forwards: Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough), Steven Fletcher (Wolves), Chris Iwelumo (Burnley), James McFadden (Birmingham), Kenny Miller (Rangers).