SCOTLAND rookie Brian McAllister should feel right at home when he enters the international arena for the first time in Latvia. The Wimbledon full-back will almost certainly have to settle for a place on the bench when the Scots play the first of a World Cup double-header tomorrow night. With only five thousand Balkans expected to attend the qualifying tie it should be like any other Saturday at his adopted home, Selhurst Park. But the Glasgow born defender, who received his call-up after helping the much-criticised Dons into fourth place in the English Premiership doesn't care if only one man and a dog turn up in Latvia - or three days later in Estonia. 'It's totally unbelievable to get an international call-up, especially so early in the season,' he said. 'To be honest when my club chairman Sam Hamman told me that the Scotland boss had been to watch me I thought he was winding me up. 'That was the first I'd seriously thought about playing for Scotland and I'm absolutely delighted to be included.' Wimbledon have confounded the critics for years by surviving on a shoestring budget and average home crowds of less than 10,000 in a league now laden with millionaire players. But McAllister, 25, jokingly recalls his early days at the club's erstwhile home Plough Lane when he played in front of even fewer fans than the Dons have now. 'About five years ago I was farmed out to a team in New Zealand for eight months where the crowds were tiny even by Wimbledon standards. 'But there were a few Scots Down Under and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 'I suppose you might call that my biggest international experience!' The 'never say die' spirit which is instilled in Wimbledon's players has helped the likes of Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise to win international recognition. But it may surprise many to know that Scotland coach Craig Brown spotted this quality in the young McAllister SIX years ago. Brown said: 'I looked at Brian in 1990 but he ended up injured and was consistently unlucky not to make any Scotland squads.' Another surprised squad member is midfield ace Paul Lambert who has found a new lease of life since leaving Motherwell for German giants Borussia Dortmund. A few sceptical eyebrows were raised when the former Fir Park favourite was snapped up by the Bundesliga side on freedom of contract. But Lambert has revelled in the big-time atmosphere in Germany. Murdo MacLeod is the front runner for the vacant post as Hibs boss. The Easter Road club are expected to name a new manager next week. But MacLeod appears to be top of the shopping list which also includes former Hibs favourite Steve Archibald and long-time fan Gordon Strachan. MacLeod's contract at Partick Thistle expires at the end of the season. And the former Hibs player is believed to be keen on a return to Easter Road. Meanwhile, axed boss Alex Miller is the latest name to be linked with troubled Manchester City. Miller is looking for a quick return to management and friends say he would like to try his luck down south. International boss Brown feels his right-hand man has the credentials to succeed at the top. 'Alex wont be out of full-time job for long and I would imagine he will be an immediate contender for any going.'
