McFadden rejects Old Firm talk

JAMES McFadden has crushed speculation over a return to Scottish football, insisting he would not consider signing for either Celtic or Rangers because of the intense scrutiny which surrounds the Old Firm clubs.

The Birmingham City forward has been persistently linked with a move to one of the great Glasgow rivals, but yesterday silenced the rumours in unequivocal fashion.

"To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't entertain a move to Glasgow," said McFadden. "I'm happy to be playing outside Scotland at the minute, especially with the kind of press that's been going about for Rangers and Celtic.

"I'm quite happy to be away from it. I read the papers and I watch the television and there has been some bad press for Rangers recently. I'm afraid that's what you get at the two biggest teams, there are always stories to be written, whether they are good or bad."

The 25-year-old, who is expected to win his 38th Scotland cap in tomorrow night's friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden, was less certain over his immediate future with Birmingham, who were relegated to the Championship last season.

Asked if he would still be at the club when the transfer window closes at the end of the month, McFadden replied: "It's hard to tell, but at the minute I'm there until told otherwise."

McFadden's former Everton team-mate David Weir was recalled to the Scotland squad yesterday, and informed he remains firmly in contention to extend his international career during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The veteran defender won his 61st cap against Italy at Hampden last November but was not included in any of the three squads named since by George Burley.

However, Celtic central defender Gary Caldwell was one of five players to withdraw from the squad yesterday because of injury and he has been replaced by 38-year-old Weir, who will almost certainly partner Stephen McManus in Scotland's final warm-up fixture before they begin their World Cup Group Nine campaign next month.