Roxburgh introduces new generation in the wake of Lisbon fiasco

passionate defence of the ''team that died in Lisbon'' -- his words --

and listed the reasons he feels he has no option but to forget a batch

of players until they return refreshed for the fray next season.

''People said after Lisbon there is a crisis but it is not a crisis of

talent,'' he said. ''It is a crisis of abuse of talent.''

He pointed out that most of the players left out are either injured or

carrying a stress knock and he has decided to take them ''out of the

firing line.'' Among those not listed are Rangers players Andy Goram,

Richard Gough, Stuart McCall, Ian Durrant, Ally McCoist, and Dave

McPherson; Aberdeen's Stewart McKimmie and Alex McLeish; and Hearts'

Henry Smith and Craig Levein.

Roxburgh started his state-of-the-game address by recalling that, just

six games ago, the national team was officially rated fifth-best in

Europe. ''That was the first time in our history that we had reached

that status. The Under-21s were equal third in their European

championships, only the second time we got that far. And our Under-16s

played in their European championship, losing only to Germany, who won

it. The only countries in Europe who matched our success at all levels

were Denmark and Germany.

''I say these things to get a proper perspective. Our talent is

limited, that is true, but it is not in a state of crisis. The

organisation cannot be bad if we got to those heights such a short time

ago.''

Roxburgh cited the crammed fixture list, an obvious, well-worn but

still valid theme, and the ''gritted teeth'' manner of play which is

demanded from infant to senior grade as the causes of the recent

decline. ''It is there for everyone to see and I am only acting as a

spokesman for others. Ask any manager or player and he will tell you the

same thing. All I can do is repeat it at meetings and in public, in the

hope something can be done to change it.''

Before he went on to discuss the group chosen for the World Cup

qualifying tie in Estonia, he said that the national players had played

for two years without a break, playing twice a week in the worst of

conditions. ''Consequently, we are going to give the young players their

chance to show us what they can do. It is often refreshing to bring in

inexperienced lads simply because of the buzz they give the squad.''

Not so young, but new, is Blackburn's Colin Hendry, who comes into the

central defence, where Gough, McPherson, Levein, and McLeish have

dominated. Alan McLaren of Hearts, and Aberdeen's Gary Smith and Brian

Irvine are other contenders for the positions.

Like Smith, Stephen Wright and Scott Booth represent the exciting

emerging talent in the Pittodrie pool, with Eoin Jess due to join them

once his injury has cleared up. Phil O'Donnell, of Motherwell, gets

promotion from the Under-21s, too, along with goalkeeper Alan Main, of

Dundee United. Only two very experienced internationalists remain,

Celtic's Paul McStay, who is fit and anxious to be included, and Brian

McClair, of Manchester United, who was recalled but not used for the

game in Portugal, something for which he is entitled to be grateful.

Talking of Hendry, who is in Jersey with his club, the coach said:

''He has got better and better and has developed into a swashbuckling

centre half. Under Kenny Dalglish he has been taught to be a bit more

controlled. And he is bursting to play for Scotland.''

The pool also contains players with reasonable international

experience, like Celtic pair Tommy Boyd and John Collins, and

Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher, but in the main it is a radicallly

different squad.

''We saw the death of a team in Lisbon. Now we are trying to have a

rebirth. This has got be a gradual process and Estonia, unfortunately,

have learned how to defend.''

His second in command, Craig Brown, who watched the eastern European

side lose 2-0 to Italy, pointed out that the second goal did not come

until the last minute.

As well as Hendry, O'Donnell, and Main, Rangers reserve keeper Ally

Maxwell is uncapped so far but others have few caps to their name, among

them Dundee United striker Duncan Ferguson, who has worn the senior

shirt only four times.

He will almost certainly get a fifth chance if he proves himself fit

enough to play for Dundee United this week after a lengthy absence

through injury.

The new Under-21 team, who will take part in the international

tournament in Toulon next month, will get into gear with a match against

the Highland League select in Inverness on May 22 as part of the

league's centenary celebrations. Squads:

SENIORS

Goalkeepers -- Bryan Gunn (Norwich), Alan Main (Dundee United), Ally

Maxwell (Rangers).

Defenders -- Tom Boyd (Celtic), Colin Hendry (Blackburn), Brian Irvine

(Aberdeen), Alan McLaren (Hearts), Gary Smith (Aberdeen), Stephen Wright

(Aberdeen).

Midfielders -- Dave Bowman (Dundee United), John Collins (Celtic), Ian

Ferguson (Rangers), Brian McClair (Manchester United), Jim McInally

(Dundee United), Paul McStay (Celtic), Phil O'Donnell (Motherwell).

Forwards -- Scott Booth (Aberdeen), Duncan Ferguson (Dundee United),

Kevin Gallacher (Blackburn), John Robertson (Hearts).

UNDER-21s

Martin Baker (St Mirren), Paul Bernard (Oldham), Gary Bollan (Dundee

United), Christian Dailly (Dundee United), Jamie Fullarton (St Mirren),

Jason Gardiner (Hibs), Peter Handyside (Grimsby), David Hannah (Dundee

United), Gregg Hood (Ayr), Stewart Kerr (Celtic), Barry Lavety (St

Mirren), Gerard Lavin (Watford), Jamie McQuilken (Celtic), Stephen

Pressley (Rangers), Lee Robertson (Rangers), Kevin Thomas (Hearts),

Steven Tweed (Hibs).