STUNNED Tommy Miller thought it was a wind-up when told he had been picked for Scotland last night, writes Derek Davis.Miller was called into the Scotland Future squad to face Turkey at Dens Park next week.

STUNNED Tommy Miller thought it was a wind-up when told he had been picked for Scotland last night, writes Derek Davis.

Miller was called into the Scotland Future squad to face Turkey at Dens Park next week.

The Ipswich Town midfielder admitted at being shocked when I asked him about the call-up last night, as he had not been told officially.

He said: "It has all come as a surprise. I'm a bit shocked but delighted at the same time."

Miller, who was born in Easington, near his former club, Hartlepool, qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother from Kirkcaldy.

Although he has competed in the Premiership and the UEFA Cup, this is Miller's first international call-up.

He said: "This is a very good chance for me, especially as an England call-up seems a long way off.

"I will have a chat with the Gaffer after training and see what is what about missing training here, and we will take it from there. To be honest it has all come a bit sudden and I do need to weigh things up."

Coventry goalkeeper Scott Shearer, Reading defender Graeme Murty, midfielders Michael McIndoe of Doncaster and Rangers striker Steven MacLean are all expected to win their debut caps, along with Miller.

Scotland coach Bertie Vogts said: "This match marks the first stage of our World Cup campaign, as it gives these players a chance to show what they can do.

"Our young players need international football experience, and for those players not involved in the Champions' League or UEFA Cup, this is a great opportunity to get that experience."

Blues boss Joe Royle was delighted with the call-up for club, player, and coach Willie Donachie, who alerted Scotland to Miller's eligibility and recommended him.

Royle said: "I'm pleased for Tommy. This has come at a time when he has still not hit his best form but we all know what a good player he is.

"I'm convinced Tommy will be a good Premier League player when he gets in his groove.

"He struggled, along with our collective early season demise, and he had a long-term injury problem."

With skipper Jim Magilton a major doubt for tomorrow's match at Nottingham Forest, Miller has every chance of keeping the place he finished with against Cardiff City at Ninian Park on Saturday.

Georges Santos, who put in a man-of-the-match performance despite a sore foot, suffered no reaction to the injury and is almost certain to take his place at the City Ground tomorrow.

Royle said: "Now he has a chance, along with a couple of others, to push into the midfield on Wednesday. It is up to him to take it."

Alan Mahon and Martijn Reuser will also be vying for a return to the first team but Miller's goal and form may have edged them out.

The penalty Miller tucked away at Cardiff was his third successful spot kick of the season. He is beaten only by Pablo Counago, who has converted four out of five attempts, while Alun Armstrong and Shefki Kuqi have also been spot on.

Only Bradford City's Marlon Beresford, who saved from the Spaniard, has denied Town a perfect 10.

Full Scotland squad: C Gordon (Hearts), S Shearer (Coventry), D Soutar (Dundee); S Caldwell (Newcastle), G Caldwell (Newcastle), J McAllister (Livingston), L Mair (Dundee), G Murty (Reading), A Webster (Hearts); P Canero (Kilmarnock), K Harper (Portsmouth), M McIndoe (Doncaster), T Miller (Ipswich), N Montgomery (Sheffield United), S Murray (Reading), S Severin (Hearts), G Williams (Nottingham Forest), I Murray (Hibernian), S Pearson (Motherwell); K Boyd (Kilmarnock), P Gallagher (Blackburn), L McCulloch (Wigan), S MacLean (Rangers) and G O'Connor (Hibernian).