Burley hands Langfield Oslo chance

dons keeper in world cup qualifier frame – despite scots manager witnessing sigma nightmare

By Michael Gannon

Published:

Jamie Langfield:ready to step up

Goalkeeper Jamie Langfield feared Aberdeen’s European humiliation by Sigma Olomouc at Pittodrie last week had all but ended his Scotland hopes.

Scotland manager George Burley was in the stands to witness the Dons’ painful 5-1 Europa League qualifying hammering by the Czech Republic side.

Langfield could not be held responsible for the capitulation and the result did not stop Burley yesterday including the 29-year-old Dons keeper in the Scotland squad to face Norway in the national side’s crucial World Cup qualifying match in Oslo next Wednesday.

The call-up is the perfect tonic for Langfield, who was Aberdeen’s player of the year last season, and his chances of starting have improved after Craig Gordon was ruled out through injury and that fact that Allan McGregor remains in international exile following his antics in March.

Langfield will compete with Norwich City’s David Marshall and Rangers’s Neil Alexander – and believes he is ready make to step up to international football.

He said: “This has probably come at the right time after last week's defeat, which was a freakish result. I was a bit worried when I heard George Burley was at the game and that is something you think about. I always wait to see the squad to see if I am involved, but I know Scotland are well off for goalkeepers.

“It was great he saw something in me which merited a place. Maybe he left after 60 minutes when it was still only 2-1. I'm not blaming myself for the result, but I always analyse my performance to see where I can improve.

“Last season, when I had 15 clean sheets, was definitely the best of my career. I knew I could play at this level. It was a matter of doing it consistently, which I have done, so I feel this is deserved.

“It is a massive game in Norway and I would love to be involved. A few years ago I would have been very nervous, but now I am confident I could go in and do a job. It is up to Mr Burley. I know the other two goalkeepers have had international experience, but I have played in massive games in Europe at club level so hopefully I can do it at international level.”

Langfield will join up with the Scotland squad after Sunday’s Dean Windass testimonial match against Hull City.

His immediate focus is firmly on starting the redemption process for the Dons in tomorrow evening’s second leg in Olomouc.

He said: “We need to go there and do something, not just for the club and the supporters, but for ourselves. We let ourselves down badly in the first leg. It's about regaining our pride and getting among the goals.

“You never know what can happen. No one expected Sigma to come and score five goals on our own patch.

“I'm always optimistic and maybe we can get a result there. But we need to get a performance to take into the opening league game against Celtic.”