Rangers pair pull out of Scotland game

Scotland manager George Burley has been dealt a double blow ahead of Saturday's friendly in Wales after Rangers duo Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker were forced to withdraw from the squad.

Whittaker was substituted during half-time of Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win against St Mirren with a hamstring strain, while Thomson has been ruled out after failing to recover from a sickness bug.

Those call offs have seen Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam recalled for the clash in Cardiff.

Burley said on Tuesday: "Kevin is still laid low with a virus after one or two of the Rangers players were affected after their European game.

"The doctor looked at him this morning and he is still not 100%. We were hoping to take him with us tomorrow but unfortunately he is still laid low.

"Steven Whittaker has a hamstring injury and will not be available either.

"We have called Charlie Adam into the squad who did very well at the weekend and scored a cracking goal for Blackpool.

"He is a very good replacement, he has been playing very consistently, he is a quality player and he is getting a real benefit from playing regularly."

Burley will also continue to monitor the sickness of captain Darren Fletcher, who has been troubled with an ankle problem recently.