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A lack of first-team action at West Ham saw the veteran defender, 33, omitted from the squad for tonight's friendly against Austria and next week's Euro 2008 qualifier in the Faroe Islands.

However, a string of withdrawals resulted in McLeish turning to Dailly - along with Derby duo Gary Teale and Jay McEveley - to make up the numbers.

And, despite still reeling from his absence from the original squad, Dailly insists did not hesitate to jump on a plane from a family holiday in Portugal to London, before joining up with the rest of the squad in Vienna yesterday afternoon.

He said: "I was gutted to say the least when I was left out of the original squad, I think everyone would know that and I can't hide from that. But I'm here now and I have the game to look forward to and that's all I ever wanted.

"I was annoyed and very disappointed when I was left out of the original squad but 10 minutes later I made a little silent vow to myself that I would get back in - I just never imagined it would be so soon.

"It's been some rush to get here but I never once thought of saying no to Scotland. I hope by now everyone knows how I feel about playing for my country."

He added: "I had to phone our player liaison officer, Richard Simpson, to get me a pair of boots because all of my stuff is stuck in the locker at West Ham. He was going into town in Glasgow to get me a pair of boots and I'm sure they will be fine."

Dailly insists he is fit and more than ready for the double-header if called upon and is hoping to have a part to play at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium tonight.

He said: "I've been playing every week for the reserves at West Ham and I played as skipper in a testimonial in Northampton two weeks ago and I feel sharp.

"Sure, I was chilling out on the beach when I got the call but my mind is right. I'm here now and I'm ready to play again."

McLeish now wants every single player to demonstrate the same commitment to the Scotland cause as Dailly has over the next seven days.

He said: "These boys will have to be top pros now. We can't afford to hear one single complaint from them over the next week.

"It's been a long, hard season and we've come over here with a lot of injuries and with guys carrying niggles, but I'm not throwing up excuses.

"The deal's simple - no one puts the tools away. Not when three points in Toftir are absolutely vital.

"That's why I'm delighted with the attitude of big Christian, who was left out of the squad because I simply didn't feel I could fit him in.

"But then we lost Russell Anderson and Steven Pressley, so I tracked him down to his family holiday in Portugal and he was straight on the next plane out.

"He flew to London then over to Vienna to meet up with the squad and that says it all about him.

"He's shown his commitment to the cause and that's what we need from everyone now."

SPORTING LIFE