Fresh start, new names

It is almost time for the new start under Craig Levein to get underway although some of the gloss has been taken off the Czech Republic friendly with them being our opponents in the 2012 qualifying campaign.

It may be a chance to scope them out or gain a morale boosting win but in all likelihood, it will mean not placing too much importance on the match or score-line and just getting the new regime underway.

Wins are what is really needed under Craig Levein but restoring some of the vitality and passion to the Scottish national team would be a great start and one way to do this is to bring in some new blood to the squad.

We don’t need to jettison the players from the last campaign but having one or two new faces alongside the new manager will help create a YEAR ZERO approach to the new regime.

And if we are looking for Scottish players on form, surely Dundee United’s David Goodwillie is at the top of the list?

The striker notched United’s late winner at St Mirren Park yesterday and he has been at the centre of the Houston led turnaround in recent weeks.

One thing that the Scotland versus Czech Republic friendly should not be about is returning players.

This is Craig Levein’s night and it should be the showcase for a new era. By all means, get the exiled players back in to the squad eventually but with months before a competitive ball is kicked in anger, it would be good to see a fresh start for the squad.

This is why the inclusion of Goodwillie would be of benefit to the nation. It would also serve as motivation for other players. If you can get a run of form playing, you will be recognised by the manager and you can break into the Scotland squad.

Given that Goodwillie played under Levein at Tannadice, the pair know each other well and the manager will know what he can expect from the player. His goal scoring run of form at least deserves some acknowledgment.

Can you think of any other new caps that should be in the Scotland squad?

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