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General Sport - 02 March 2010
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Jocky’s wish
Although he hopes both players are involved, Dundee boss Jocky Scott’s main interest will be that Leigh Griffiths and Andrew Shinnie come through tonight’s Scotland U/21 game against Azerbaijan unscathed (writes Graeme Finnan).
Striker Griffiths and on-loan Rangers man Shinnie are in Billy Stark’s squad for the Euro qualifier at the Falkirk Stadium.

Jocky knows the pair will benefit from the experience, but hopes they return fit and well for Saturday’s game against Caley Thistle.

“It’s good for the players to be involved. It’s good for their careers, because international games are different from domestic ones — they learn different things,” said Jocky.

“But we’ve got to be selfish and my main hope is that they do well and come back without any injuries.”

The Dark Blues gaffer had planned to watch Saturday’s opponents Caley against Morton tonight. However, that idea had to be scrapped with the game put off due to frost.

A frozen pitch also put paid to Dundee’s bounce game against St Johnstone in Perth this afternoon.

Meanwhile, adults will have to pay £17 and concessions £10 for the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie with Raith Rovers, which goes ahead at Dens Park on Saturday week.

Game on ice
Dundee United’s hope of giving some of their squad some much-needed match practice were scuppered today when a planned bounce game against Hamilton had to be scrapped due to a frozen pitch (writes Graeme Finnan).
The Tangerines were keen to see several of their fringe men get a run, but plummeting overnight temperatures put paid to that prospect.

“It’s disappointing, because there are a few of the lads who could have done with a game,” said coach Paul Hegarty, filling in for boss Peter Houston, who is on Scotland duty.

The hard ground also forced United to abandon plans to train at their St Andrews base and, instead, the players were limited to working in the gym or doing some running on the track at Tannadice.

Meanwhile, Paul was delighted that Andy Webster appears to have shaken off his calf injury.

The defender, who missed the weekend win over Falkirk, is currently on duty with the international side.

“The fact we’ve had no news otherwise has to be positive and, hopefully, Andy will be involved against the Czech Republic tomorrow night.”
Davidson out
St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson has pulled out of tonight’s Scotland U/21 match against Azerbaijan at the Falkirk Stadium due to a groin problem (writes James Masson).
The injury stiffens up after games, but it’s worse than normal following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Hibs and the player has had to receive an injection.

“We’re disappointed for Murray. He deserves his chance with the U/21s. However, I know his opportunity with them will come again,” said Saints boss Derek McInnes.

It’s hoped Davidson will be fit enough for Saturday’s home match against Motherwell.

Kevin Rutkiewicz, on the way back from knee surgery, is likely to start training with the first-team squad before the end of the week.

However, Stuart McCaffrey and Peter MacDonald, both also on the way back from operations, are three weeks away from that stage.
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