Scotland fail in shock attempt to call Shola Ameobi into squad

Scotland manager Craig Levein has revealed he tried to bring Shola Ameobi into the Scotland squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Lichtenstein.

Levein enquired about the Newcastle striker after learning of Fabio Capello’s interest in pursuing Spaniard Mikel Arteta for the England squad, but Levein dropped his interest when he learned that the striker does not qualify for Scotland under the terms of the Four Nations Agreement.

Ameobi was never educated in Scotland and the Home Associations state you must be educated in the country for five years to qualify for eligibility.

Levein was hoping to bolster his attacking options as Scotland, 12/1 to top Group I, look to qualify for the 2012 UEFA European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine.

The upcoming ties against Lithuania and Lichtenstein shouldn’t prove too difficult for Scotland, they are 9/5 to beat Lithuania on Friday, but ties against Czech Republic and Spain will test their squad as they look to qualify for a major championship for the first time since France 98.

Meanwhile, the Tartan Army will be hoping Kris Boyd can continue his impressive form for Middlesborough and find the net against the Lithuanians on Friday, and he is 7/1 to score first.

Scotland have reverted to the tried and tested method, bring experienced players back into the squad but face a tricky away tie in Lithuania. See the full Scotland vs Lithuania match betting market here.