FOOTBALL
KEEPER STUNNED BY SCOTLAND CALL
Second chance for Gallacher
By Scot Burns
DELIGHTED Paul Gallacher was stunned to get an international recall because he thought his Scotland career had come to an end five years ago.
The on-form St Mirren keeper answered a late SOS after first-choice Craig Gordon broke his wrist playing for Sunderland.
The 30-year-old, who won the last of his eight caps against Estonia under Berti Vogts, comes into the squad for Wales as back-up to David Marshall and Jamie Langfield.
“I got a phone call on Sunday from Jim Stewart to let me know about the situation,” Gallacher revealed.
“I was delighted to take the call so early on a Sunday morning.
“It was unfortunate with Craig’s injury but hopefully he will recover fairly soon.
“I saw Craig’s injury on the television on Saturday night and I knew they would have to bring somebody else in but I thought they might take a young kid up from the under-21s.
“I thought my chance had gone. I am not getting any younger and when young goalkeepers, like Craig and David Marshall, coming through then you do wonder.
“Craig has been fantastic every time he has played for the country and Marsh has been No. 2 and quite rightly.
“It has come as a shock because I never expected to get the call.
“I thought those days were behind me but the door has been opened and I am delighted.
“I will turn up and we will see what happens. “
The ex-Dundee United and Dunfermline keeper knows he has been fortunate because of injury.
He has impressed for the Buddies and now Gallacher is determined to play for keeps.
“I think I have doing all right but when you think about the goalkeepers who are available then maybe I have got lucky this time,” the shot stopper joked.
“I am back playing in the SPL and thoroughly enjoying myself back at the top level at a good level.
“Hopefully my form has alerted them to what I am all about. I now need to go and shown what I can do and what I am capable of.
“Hopefully it will be good enough to stay in the squads. If it is to be a one off then and I am delighted and honoured to be back in the squad.
“My last cap was 2004 in Estonia. I was in a few squads after that but has been about it.”
Gallacher won most of his caps under the hapless Vogts and was on the bench the last time Scotland were thrashed in Wales with his ex-Norwich City striker rob Earnshaw doing the damage.
