Martinez - Split Loyalties on Spains National Day

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez will be celebrating Spain`s National Day today hoping that his national team keep up their impressive performances and maintain the form that made them both European and World Champions as they tackle Scotland at Hampden Park

Two slight problems though for senor Martinez, his wife is Scottish and his club skipper, Gary Caldwell, is likely to be lining up in the heart of the Scotland defence following a long absence through injury, so some mixed feelings about the evenings proceedings.

Caldwell made the starting eleven for the Scots in last weekends ultra-defensive performance against the Czech Republic and lasted almost 70 minutes before he was withdrawn, though the defender sat out training yesterday, Scotland assistant manager Stuart Houston says it was just resting but they will be careful with him

Houston says: "Caldwell has been feeling good. We know he`s been out for a while, but nobody knows his body better than the player himself.

"He was very keen to do something yesterday and, although he has not played a lot, he`s certainly put himself up for selection.

"In his mind he`s okay, although we`ve got to be careful with him.

"Craig Levein though has the final say, but he is sensible.

"If he thought Gary would be out for months afterwards then he wouldn`t want him because then he`s not 100 per cent fit."

So Martinez will have split loyalties tonight, obviously he will be hoping that his country perform well and keep on track for qualification but at the same time he will want his skipper, Caldwell, to take the next step along the road to recovery, also he won`t want to see his wife upset if Scotland take a beating, maybe a plate of Paella and the spare bedroom beckons

¡ Feliz Día Nacional a Roberto!




















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