James McFadden: 'I want to prove that I can do a job for Scotland'

Sep 4 2007

Everton striker James McFadden admits it will take more than the backing of Marcello Lippi to reach the European Championships next summer.

Lippi, who guided Italy to their World Cup triumph last year, said earlier in the week: "If you look around the world, it is clear the emerging country is Scotland."

Alex McLeish’s side are in third place in their Euro 2008 qualifying group and play Lithuania on Saturday before facing leaders France in Paris the following Wednesday.

The 24 year old cautiously welcomed the compliment from one of football`s most successful bosses.

He said: "I think it’s a fair comment. Obviously he is one of the best managers in the world and it is nice to hear that and get a bit of praise for the work that the players and staff have done.

"But we can’t just say ’Marcello Lippi says we are one of the emerging nations’.

"We have to prove that is the case by getting to these championships and hopefully we could do it.

"To take praise like that you have to achieve something. We’ve got a chance but it’s not going to be easy.

"Nobody gave us a chance when we started the group so it is going to to be difficult but we have to believe that we are going to do it or else we won’t do it."

McFadden bemoaned the loss of Derby striker Kenny Miller, who withdrew from the squad with a hamstring injury.

However, the Everton player hopes he has consequently moved closer to a starting spot against Lithuania.

"Losing Kenny will be a big blow. He has done well for us of late, worked hard and scored a lot of goals," he added.

"But that’s the whole point of having a squad. There is always players waiting to come in to prove they should be in the team and that includes me.

"I want to come in and prove that I can do a job for Scotland if I start.

"I played against South Africa in the friendly last month but the last time I played before that was against Ukraine.

"That’s what happens when you are injured or suspended and that could be the same with Kenny.

"You find that there is always someone waiting to come in and take your place.

"I suppose that was the case when I missed the games. Garry O`Connor came back and scored a couple of goals and Kris Boyd has been banging them in.

"They will be trying to do that to make sure that they stay in the team.

"Everybody is fighting to get a game and hopefully I get the nod but I will wait and see."