IN HIS time of need Andy Roxburgh turned to youth and experience and

called in Aberdeen's Eoin Jess and Jim McInally, of Dundee United, to

take his squad for Scotland's international against Italy at Ibrox next

week back up to 16, writes James Traynor.

Unless the squad is hit further by injury, it is unlikely that either

will start the World Cup qualifying match.

Nevertheless, 21-year-old Jess is delighted he has been called into

the senior squad, although when he received the message that he had to

contact his club manager he did not think it was to hear such good news.

''I thought I had done something wrong and was in trouble,'' he said.

''I couldn't believe it when the manager told me I had been called in to

the squad to face Italy. It was a total surprise.

''I had planned to go to Ibrox and support the team, but now I will be

on the substitutes' bench at worst. I watch the Italians every week on

television and they are packed with skill, but I am not overawed by the

prospect of playing against them.''

Jess believes the Scots' determination will achieve the triumph

required. ''Everyone knows about their captain, Franco Baresi, who is

reckoned to be the best defender in the world, but we have the backing

of the best fans in the world and I fancy Ally McCoist to keep his run

going by scoring a couple,'' he added.

Roxburgh regards the Aberdeen striker as a gifted and intelligent

young player. McInally's experience and versatility could come into play

at some stage in the tie, as he can play in the back line or in

midfield, or operate in wide areas.

* The B & Q Cup final between Morton and Hamilton will be played at

Love Street, Paisley, on Sunday, December 13, kick-off 2pm.

Strathclyde Police yesterday insisted that the game be all-ticket with

a crowd limit of 17,000, even though both clubs estimated that the

maximum attendance would be in the region of 10,000.

* LEEDS United's Scottish midfielder Gordon Strachan has denied

swearing at a senior police officer before the midweek Coca-Cola Cup

defeat at Watford.

Chief Inspector Steve Read claimed he was sworn at by Strachan when he

went to the Leeds dressing room to announce that the kick-off would be

delayed for 15 minutes for crowd-safety reasons.

In a statement, Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson denied that any abusive

remarks had been directed at the police officer. He said: ''If he

overheard anything, he simply heard the reaction of grown men

disappointed about the kick-off delay.'' Wilkinson added that he hoped

the matter would not be taken any further.