Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle has told Scotland coach George Burley his height and strength are what the national team are missing at present. The target man won the last of his nine caps in 2004 after being thrust into the international arena by Berti Vogts as an untried 20-year-old Sunderland reserve.

The 28-year-old believes he is now better equipped for international football.

He told Press Association Sport: "I said for a long time I never thought it would happen again but after last year when people started talking about it again, I thought `well, I'm a bit more mature and wiser'. Before, I wasn't really ready to play for Scotland but now I feel as though I am. If I can score goals every week, then why not?"