Scotland Under-21 boss Alex Smith has decided tonight's European Championship qualifier with Belgium is to go down in the history books - by fielding Newcastle United brothers Steve and Gary Caldwell.

Of course, he'd like to see a record victory at Dunfermline's East End Park but failing that it will be the first time a pair of brothers have represented Scotland at this level in the same game.

Smith said: "The two Caldwells will play. It will be the first time at Under-21 level that two brothers have played.

"They have done fine this week. Stephen has been about the squad for a wee while now and this is Gary's first call-up. But he has been through all the levels - under-18, under-17 and under-16, so we know all about him as well."

Steve Caldwell said: "It will be great to play for Scotland alongside my brother. Although we've both come up through the ranks for Scotland, we've never played in the same side because of the age difference.

"But we know each other's games inside out and hopefully we can get the right result tonight.

"I'd love to follow this by one day both of us playing in Newcastle United's first team.

"It's our dream to be regulars for Newcastle and the full Scotland side."

The game will also be the first time that Old Firm young guns Kenny Miller and Mark Burchill have played together.

Smith has yet to decide on the rest of his team, with the goalkeeping position his major headache.

Aberdeen's Ryan Esson and Dundee United's Paul Gallacher, Smith's own first choice at club level, have both established themselves in the Scottish Premier League this season.

The Belgians arrive in Dunfermline with a three-point advantage over their hosts.

The young Scots have beaten Latvia 3-1 in Riga but lost 3-1 in Croatia.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Answers

Makes the signing of O'Brien a bit short sighted in my view.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Not really, I suppose we will have 4 good, young internationals at the centre back position, with one experience international at centre back. Nico I believe has 1 season left at Newcastle and then he will be sold!! That leaves us with the 4 young uns and anyone else bobby buys. With our injury record having these guys to fill the 2 or 3 positions probably still isnt enough!! AM

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

I can't see how we could possibly justify relying 100% on the Caldwell's being our future. We've got to keep our options a little open, however promising the brothers seem. And a bit of competition for places is no bad thing.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Exactly, windy! Look at the mess we're in, have been in, when we've only got 1 player to play in a certain position and he gets injured.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

There's been about two inches of rain in Dunfermline today, but hey I'll be there to cheer the boys on. I invited Ben along but I'm not sure he realises East End Park isn't quite the Family Enclosure at SJP.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

I'm okay about signing another young defender. Arsenal had Adams, Keown and Bould to cover centre half. 4 may be excessive but there is liable to be at least one of them not make the grade.

At right back in the same age bracket we have no competition, and at left back it's the same (ignoring Serrant for the moment).

If the Caldwells truly are good enough they'll be too good for a £2m Irish lad :0)

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

What about Ryan McGuffie at right back? He's played for the reserves a lot this season and I've not really heard a bad word about him. Still very young.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

3 Scots in the line up may have Buff happy but I'd never stand the shame of it all

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001