Town centre-half Christophe Berra has been named in the Scotland squad for their friendlies against the USA at Hampden Park on Friday 15th November and in Norway on the following Tuesday. It’s the first time the 28-year-old has received a call-up since joining the Blues in the summer.

Edinburgh-born Berra has previously won 27 full Scotland caps, scoring two goals, in addition to appearances at U21 and B levels.

Speaking a month ago Berra said he was hoping to win a recall to Gordon Strachan's squad now he is playing regularly for the Blues, having missed out latterly.

“When I was at Wolves I played 16 or 17 games in a row for Scotland but I wasn’t involved in the squads at Wolves for my last two or three months there so I wasn’t being picked for Scotland," he said.

“If you’re not playing regularly at club level you don’t deserve to be in the squad. Imagine if I wasn’t playing regularly and starting for Scotland. There would be people who were playing every week saying ‘How come he’s playing?’ That’s the way it works.”

He added: “I haven’t given up hope of playing again. I was in the team for Gordon Strachan’s first game, which we won. We kept a clean sheet and I did well but then after that I wasn’t playing for Wolves.

“I’ve been involved in international football since I was about 20 and this is the first time for a long time when I’ve actually had days off instead of being away in a hotel for 10 days, bored out of my nut and missing my family and friends.

“I don’t know if it’s me personally or if I’ve done anything wrong. Maybe he [Strachan] just wants me to play more games for Ipswich. We’ll just have to give it time and wait and see."

If he is involved in either game, Berra will be the first Town player to represent Scotland for exactly 30 years when John Wark played in a 2-1 defeat to East Germany in a European Championships qualifier in November 1983.

Scotland: Scott Fox (Partick Thistle), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City, Charlie Adam (Stoke City), Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Chris Burke (Birmingham City), James Forrest (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City), Steven Fletcher (Sunderland), Steven Naismith (Everton), Matt Phillips (Queens Park Rangers), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers).

Photo: Action Images

JimmyJazz added 13:02 - Nov 4 Well deserved
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BuckieBlue added 13:18 - Nov 4 I am sure Strachan was just waiting for Berra to be playing regularly; he has been a good member of the squad in the past, no reason why he can't add to his caps.
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MCGOODERZ added 13:42 - Nov 4 where's rhodes?
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Pettitt10 added 13:46 - Nov 4 well deserved, was quality against barnsley, two last ditch tackles and won everything in the air.
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muhrensleftfoot added 14:08 - Nov 4 Yes he looks very solid, & can't really fault him. However in fitting him into our team, It broke up the very effective Smith & Chambers partnership in central defense, and by continuing with Chambers at right back, we are not as much of a threat going forward. Centre backs rarely make good full backs, they don't have the instinct to go forward. We need Hewitt at right back, which means one of our 3 centre backs, probably Berra, should be on the bench.

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Keaneish added 14:24 - Nov 4 Saying that though muhrensleftfoot, Stearman was a RB in the same mould as Chambers. I think if Taylor plays in front of Chambers to give us more attacking impetus on the right, Chambers misgivings going forwarded won;t be highlighted as much. Lets face it, although Edwards and Anderson are both playing a little more tucked in than normal, neither have set that side alight! i'm hoping with Chambers behind him, MM gives taylor more of a licence to cheat and attack rather than getting him tight and narrow in the midfield four to make us harder to break down.

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PhilTWTD added 14:30 - Nov 4 McGooderz Either I cropped him out or the SFA initially missed him off the list. I've added him.
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JewellintheTown added 14:45 - Nov 4 MCGOODERZ added 13:42 - Nov 4: "where's rhodes?" Just off the coast of Turkey, between Greece and Cyprus. But what does that have to do with Berra playing for Scotland?
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 16:07 - Nov 4 Congratulations, one of the best centre-backs we have had for a long time.
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Michael11 added 16:37 - Nov 4 Who cares where Jordan Rhodes is. Not our player and hasn't been for a long time. No one asks where Lewis Price is when the Wales squad is announced! Personally, think we were much stronger with Chambers/Smith at the centre of defence. Think he's only playing because he's Mick's buddy.
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Wickets added 17:28 - Nov 4 Our best defender.
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PimsNumber1 added 18:08 - Nov 4 Berra is an excellent defender.very difficult to drop even if the smith chambers partnership looked and was so good.stearmen was great for us and he is a cb and no more attacking than chambo
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kerryblue added 20:15 - Nov 4 Well deserved,
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ronnyd added 20:17 - Nov 4 Jewellinthecrown , you are a colossus.
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budgieplucker added 22:19 - Nov 4 Excellent signing, and whilst I agree it was a shame to split the Smith/Chambers partnership up (especially with Chambo showing great form in that position) I think Christophe has been the most consistent player this year since he made his debut. Arguably the best centre back of the three (but I think we are lucky to have three great lads all proud and committed to the task and the shirt). For the oldies amongst us his style reminds me so much of Allan Hunter and that in itself is a great compliment.

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theblueginger added 11:01 - Nov 6 Solid CB, a great signing, and rightly so in the Scotland set-up. However for me he should be paired with Chambers (sorry but Smith has not been at it this aseason compared to last. Play Hewitt at RB, seeing as Edwards/Anderson do provide protection for him. Then get in a RB in Jan, please.
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