Caldo: We owe debt to Berti's vision

Sep 14 2008 By Mark Guidi

GARY CALDWELL reckons Scotland will owe a debt of gratitude to Berti Vogts if we qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals.

The Celtic defender was handed his international debut by the German gaffer in the 5-0 thumping from France six years ago.

More batterings followed under Vogts during his reign but the foreign boss stuck by Caldwell and other kids such James McFadden, Craig Gordon and Darren Fletcher.

These guys are now a vital part of the set-up and Caldwell insists Vogts' bold selection policy back then is starting to reap dividends now.

Caldo now has 29 caps in his locker and said: "My debut came against France and it's been a long road since then. There have been a few ups and downs playing for Scotland that's for sure.

"You're always under pressure and in the spotlight of the whole country for 10 days.

"You have to deal with it but being in the squad and playing helps. We've a team now with quite a lot of experience despite being relatively young.

"We're managing to handle bigger occasions and hopefully we'll have even bigger games to look forward to.

"The guys have grown up together since being given a chance by Vogts.

"He was criticised for throwing a lot of us in - but the experience we gained at such a young age is paying off now."

Caldwell was delighted to play his part in the vital win against Iceland to put World Cup qualification back on track after the 1-0 defeat in Macedonia.

The big stopper played well in both matches for George Burley and has matured into one of the most reliable and accomplished central defenders in the country.

Gary said: "It's about winning.

Saturday was disappointing but we showed against Iceland what we're all about. We had a go from the start - that's when Scotland are at their best, when we're attacking teams and playing a real high-tempo game.

"We found the weather difficult in Macedonia especially to begin with and we had a poor start to the tie.

"We tried to recover but unfortunately couldn't. But we learned a lesson and got at Iceland from the off. I felt we played especially well in the first half.

"The atmosphere in the dressingroom was no different from Saturday.

"We tried to win both games - sometimes you get it right, others you don't."

Burley's critics were out in force after the disappointing start to the qualifying campaign but Caldwell didn't let the pressure get to him.

The stopper said: "We didn't think about what would happen if we hadn't got a result on the Iceland trip.

"Things did go well, that's all that's matters. We don't want to be negative - there's plenty of that elsewhere.

"We must remain positive. We had to win away from home, which is tough in international football, and we did.

"Now we've a home game against Norway and a win would put us right back in the running.

"It's a really good chance to cement our place as second best in the group.

Then we can look forward to the Holland game the following year."

Scotland enjoyed excellent backing from the fans against Ukraine and Italy in the Euro 2008 campaign and Caldwell wants that kind of atmosphere for the visit of Norway on October 11.

He said: "It is always a great experience to play at Hampden.

"You want to play in all the big games there.

"It is a long campaign, we've five games left after this year, but we have new hope and expectation.

"I feel comfortable in central defence - all the lads feel comfortable playing at this level.

"People go on about experience but when you're young you think it's over-hyped.

"As you get older, though, you realise how good it is to have that and to feel comfortable at this level."

With Stephen McManus suspended for the visit of Norway, there is a place up for grabs - and Caldwell would love his brother Steven to get the nod.

He said: "Steven is captain at Burnley and doing well. He still wants to play as much as anyone and I'm sure he'll get a chance."