Hearts trio yet to scale heights of Leighton, McLeish and Miller

The revival of Scotland's World Cup qualification hopes has generated renewed interest in the national team after the apathy displayed under Berti Vogts. Yet it has also given rise to the historic curse of expectation. As Smith named his squad for the double-header against Belarus and Slovenia, Hearts' surprise dominance of the domestic scene has further enhanced the reputations of three defensive pillars.

While grateful for their stellar contribution thus far, Smith gave short shrift to suggestions that Gordon, Webster and Pressley can now consider themselves akin to the great Aberdeen rearguard of Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish and Willie Miller.

The trio were instrumental in breaking the Old Firm stronghold in the early 1980s and also collected the European Cup Winners' Cup. At present, the Hearts players are mere pretenders to the throne.

"They have a few games between them yet, and a few trophies to win, before they get to that kind of level," said Smith, who was assistant manager to Jim McLean at Dundee United while Aberdeen were rampant under Alex Ferguson.

"The fact that they play together for their club helps but it is a step-up to internationals, even though they showed they could handle the situation."

The fourth "musketeer" of Midlothian, Paul Hartley, has arguably been the most inspirational of all in Hearts' ascent to the pinnacle of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. He has subsequently become a vital component of Smith's 4-5-1 formation and his energy, enthusiasm and exceptional ability will again be coveted against Belarus at Hampden Park on Saturday week and in Slovenia four days later.

"With younger players, there can be a bit of impatience nowadays but Paul has served his apprenticeship and is doing exceptionally well," Smith said of the playmaker, who lay dormant at St Johnstone until being signed by Craig Levein at Hearts. "I have seen Paul in a lot of games where he has had a tremendous influence and I think he has openly praised Craig Levein for his input and bringing out the ability that was always there."

Scotland's participation in the World Cup finals in Germany next summer is dependent on six points being obtained in this concluding double-header. A home win against Belarus is an essential first step but Smith was wary of suggestions Scotland will face a hopelessly under-strength side at Hampden.

Up to eight players will be missing for a variety of reasons but Smith will not underestimate the depleted force, which will contain Arsenal's £10m playmaker, Aleksandr Hleb. "They still have an outside chance of qualifying, depending on an enormous swing of results, so we cannot go out expecting to win," he said. "I am not sure if 'weaker' is the right word to use, because they have more than a few good players."

Smith was candid on the misfortune of Scotland's top goalscorer, James McFadden. The Everton forward, who is suspended for the Belarus game, has been a peripheral figure at Goodison Park for two years, resulting in a desire to leave during the last transfer window. He has since received his opportunity during a depressing sequence of results.

"It is just typical of the season James has had that he is now playing at a time when they have not been getting the best results," said Smith. "He will be used by Everton and Scotland on a regular basis in the future and doesn't have to worry too much."

Rainer Bonhof has challenged the Scotland under-21 players to finish a miserable European Champions qualifying campaign with a flourish.

The administrative error that cost Scotland a 3-0 defeat against Italy has been dealt with internally by the Scottish FA without blame being apportioned to the manager, and Bonhof expects his team to end on a high note next month.

"It would be easy to look at the team I have now and wish I had them at the start but you can only go with what you've got," he said. "No-one wants to say they finished bottom."

Scotland (World Cup Qualifying Group 5, v Belarus, home, Sat Oct 8, and v Slovenia, away, Wed Oct 12) Esson (Aberdeen), Gordon (Hearts), Marshall (Celtic), Alexander (Preston North End), Anderson (Aberdeen), Gary Caldwell (Hibernian), Steven Caldwell (Sunderland), Dailly (West Ham Utd), Pressley (Hearts), Webster (Hearts), Weir (Everton), Davidson (Preston North End), Ferguson (Rangers), Fletcher (Manchester Utd), Hartley (Hearts), McCann (Southampton), McCulloch (Wigan Ath), Murray (Rangers), Quashie (Southampton), Beattie (Celtic), McFadden (Everton), Maloney (Celtic), Miller

(Wolverhampton Wndrs), O'Connor (Hibernian), Thompson (Rangers)

Scotland U21 (European U21 Ch'ship Qualifying Group 5, v Belarus, home, Fri Oct 7, and

v Slovenia, away, Tues Oct 11) Brown (Hibernian), Smith (Motherwell), Turner (Everton), Berra (Hearts), Broadfoot (St Mirren), Collins (Sunderland), Diamond (Aberdeen), Robertson (Rotherham Utd), Watt (Chelsea), Whittaker (Hibernian), Brighton (Clyde), Lawson (Celtic), McCunnie (Dunfermline Ath), Mulgrew (Celtic), Naismith (Kilmarnock), Quinn (Motherwell), Thomson (Hibernian), Wilson (Dundee Utd), Clarkson (Motherwell), Duffy (Falkirk), Gallagher (Blackburn Rvrs), McCormack (Rangers)

Taken from the Herald