Exclusive - Osieck names Qantas Socceroos squad

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today announced a 20-player squad for the upcoming international friendly match with Scotland.

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today announced a 20-player squad for the upcoming international friendly match with Scotland (Edinburgh, 15 August 2012).

The match will be will be broadcast Live and Exclusive by FOX SPORTS in Australia with kick-off scheduled for 5am AEST 16 August.

Lucas Neill is set to lead the Qantas Socceroos in what will be his 50th match as Socceroos Captain.

Holger Osieck has selected a mix of young and experienced European based players as well as Melbourne Victory talisman Archie Thompson.

Chris Herd is in line for his first Qantas Socceroos appearance following his withdrawal from two previous squads due to injury.

Jason Davidson, son of Socceroo great Alan Davidson, receives his first call up following three years in Portugal and the Netherlands building a career in Europe. The 21-year-old defender broke into the Heracles Almelo first team, making his starting debut with a 3-1 win over FC Utrecht at the end of the Eredivisie 2011/12 season.

Osieck said Davidson had impressed during his time in Holland, with his selection a sign that there are opportunities for younger players.

"He made a great impact on his club in the first division of Holland," Osieck said.

"He had been part of young Socceroos a couple of years ago and his performance level is getting up. It-s a good opp for him to join the group and good signal to other boys if they keep working hard.

Fellow defender Ryan McGowan is also selected fot the first time after impressing Head Coach Holger Osieck at a 2011 training camp in Germany and during the Scottish Premier League for Heart of Midlothian.

McGowan was named as Hearts Young Player of the Year for 2011/12.

Osieck said that he hoped both McGowan and Herd would be able to make their most of their selection.

"We had McGowan in our scouting camp last year in Germany when I had the opportunity to have a look at a number of young talents. He did a good job year although was a little bit inexperienced.

"But in the meantime he has become a regular starter for his team Hearts and is doing very well. It-s a good opportunity for me to have a look at him and see if he-s ready for it.

"Chris Herd was very unfortunate in recent months. I had him on the list for two games and unfortunately he had to drop out due to injury. I hope this time it will work. He's another young guy who can step up and can take the opportunity."

Also included in the squad are Hyundai A-League graduates Mitch Langerak, Alex Brosque and Robbie Kruse.

The Qantas Socceroos have played Scotland on four previous occasions with the Qantas Socceroos most recently defeating Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park in 2000.

The Qantas Socceroos will be preparing for the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Jordan on 11 September and Iraq on 16 October.

Tickets for the Qantas Socceroos next two home matches against Oman and Iraq at ANZ Stadium go on public sale Wednesday 15 August 9am AEST.

The full squad reads as follows:

Mark Bresciano, Alex Brosque, David Carney, Jason Davidson, Adam Federici, Chris Herd, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak, Scott McDonald, Ryan McGowan, Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski, Mark Schwarzer, Archie Thompson, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.