Dailly's Mixed Feelings

Christian Dailly hopes to get the chance to impress new Scotland manager Bertie Vogts against France next week - but can't help lamenting the absence of club mate Don Hutchison.

Scotland begin a new era in under a week's time after following England's lead and appointing their first foreign boss, and Christian - an ever-present in the Premiership for West Ham this term - says: "I hope I get the opportunity to play for him - it can only help.

"It is an exciting time and obviously there are a lot of players up for grabs. With a new manager coming in, for everyone playing in Scotland there is an added incentive in the games.

"It is quite exciting because his track record speaks for itself and it is going to be good to learn from someone like that - hopefully, if selected for the team!"

"And it would be a good game should we play against England; he has a good record against them, which probably means we will not get to play them!"

As for club mate Don, who will miss the start of the tartan revolution as he recovers from a cruciate ligament operation, Christian says: "It is a big blow for everybody at West Ham. It is a horrible injury, and I think he has been in quite a lot of pain.

"Obviously for Scotland it is a loss as well. As a country we are quite small and we need all our top players fit and available, especially with the new manager coming in.

"Don is a big part of the Scotland team and he will be missed."