Huddersfield Town defender Paul Dixon likely to get nod from Craig Levein for Scotland debut

Mel Booth
Sep 7 2012

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN defender Paul Dixon has been praised by Scotland boss Craig Levein and looks like winning a first senior cap against Serbia at Hampden Park tomorrow.

Levein insists he is comfortable starting any player in his squad despite the defensive selection problems that hampered his initial preparations for the World Cup qualifying opener. Already missing full-backs Steven Whittaker and Phil Bardsley to ankle injuries, Levein lost Danny Fox, Charlie Mulgrew and Russell Martin this week and is unlikely to have them fit for Tuesday’s visit of Macedonia.

Centre-back Christophe Berra was also a doubt until his girlfriend gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday. Levein has called up left-back Dixon, Bristol City full-back Richard Foster and MK Dons defender Gary MacKenzie, all of whom are uncapped.

But he has no problems handing any of them a debut at Hampden, with Dixon appearing the favourite. “What I don’t like is uncertainty,” said Levein. “We had a lot of that in the early part of the week, not just with the Christophe Berra situation with his girlfriend having the baby.

“We had Russell Martin, Charlie Mulgrew and Danny Fox all unsure whether they were going to make it. “What we have got now is certainty and I’m happy. “Everyone in the squad is more than capable of starting if need be.”

Dixon looks the likeliest to make his debut given the shortage of experienced options at left-back. “I was fortunate enough to work with him at Dundee United,” added Levein. “He provides us with an attacking threat down that left side. “Bringing someone like him into the squad, I know what I’m getting.

“I know exactly what his strengths are and I know how to use him. That gives me a degree of comfort.”