[DavidMc]

SCOTLAND SET TO ATTACK IN AUSTRIA
Wednesday, 30 May 2007

Scotland meet Austria in Vienna tonight with a much reduced squad due to call-offs, but still with a strong starting eleven that will give an indication of the team's prospects in next week's qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

Having arrived in Austria with just 18 players - including three goalkeepers - the options are limited for the national coach, but he seems likely to use the match to reintroduce Garry O'Connor to the team after the big striker's lengthy absence.

At the back, Allan McGregor is set to make his Scotland debut in goal, although he will be replaced at half time by Craig Gordon.

A strong midfield with Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher and Lee McCulloch will give the team considerable impetus, with an emphasis on attack if O'Connor partners Kris Boyd up front.

Alex McLeish was still positive about the players at his disposal despite the withdrawals and said: "We still have the nucleus of the team I have in mind to play against the Faroes and we will use that nucleus against Austria. We're not talking about experimenting because that can cause problems in that the lads haven't played with each other, but we do want to play as many people as possible.

"If we lose this game and win in the Faroe Islands I will be happy, but any game I have ever been involved in, I have wanted to win. The most important thing is the Faroes game: it's no formality to go there, as we know very well, but it's a game we have to win."

The match at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium kicks off at 8.30 pm local time, and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports 1, kick-off 7.30 pm.

With a potentail ''banana skin'' match coming up against the Faroe Islands, tonight is all about putting in a decent performance and fielding a few players to see what they can bring to the side. Hopefully we will be going into our next qualifier with a morale boosting win under our belt.