McFadden aims for full run-out

Aug 22 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

James McFadden in action against Sheffield United reserves (200)

JAMES McFADDEN is hoping to get 90 minutes under his belt when Scotland take on South Africa in an international friendly tonight.

The striker, who has recently recovered from a broke metatarsal, will be pitting his wits against Everton team-mate Steven Pienaar at Hampden Park.

McFadden regards the match as an ideal opportunity to gain some match fitness and hopes to give Scotland manager Alex McLeish food for thought ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and France in September. "I just want to get a game out of it," said McFadden.

"I need games. It's come at a good time for me and hopefully, if selected, I can get some fitness from it. "It will be my first game under the new manager and I need to impress him.

"It's another game for Scotland, it's not a game I'm taking lightly, especially having to come in and try to prove myself. I'll be working as hard as I usually do to try to get a win."

McFadden believes the Scots stand a good chance of reaching the finals but admits it has been frustrating watching from the
sidelines. "I think we've got a good chance.

"We've got some very hard games coming up, every game is hard and we just have to take each game as it comes," he said. "We have to keep going and keep working as hard as we have been and hopefully we will have as good a chance as anyone.

"It's frustrating if you see the team struggling and you want to be there to try to help. "But I was pleased for the players who were coming in and the fact that they were winning games.