September 17 2003

Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman is hoping that winning August's Nationwide Division One Player of the Month award will jog Berti Vogts’ memory and earn him an international recall, writes Joe O'Shea.

The 29-year-old Scot scored five goals in five games to scoop the August award, before a hamstring injury put him out of action for three weeks and out of contention for the Scotland squad that lost 2-1 in Germany last week.

Freedman has been over-looked throughout Scotland’s European Championship qualifying campaign, after Vogts played him on the right wing for 45 minutes against France in March last year.

Having scored on his debut against Latvia in 2001, Freedman is frustrated that he has not added to his two caps or even had a phonecall from the manager.

He said: "That’s my international career all over. Everytime there is an international squad I always seem to be out of form or injured.

"He (Vogts) never spoke to me at all which was very disappointing. I don’t want to keep on dwelling on the situation but I know if I keep doing well and scoring it will come again. Hopefully this award will help."

It is the second time he has won the monthly award, after one in 2001, before being named in the Division One team of the season.

He said: "It is pleasing but a surprise because I missed the last couple of games. It is nice to pick up awards from a personal point of view, but the team’s performances helped."

"If I can get another chance for Scotland I know I can do a good job."

His manager Steve Kember feels Scotland are missing Freedman’s creativity, just as Palace have in the last three games.

Kember said: "Bertie Vogts must have his reasons for not picking him but I find it very strange that he’s not in the Scotland team or at least the squad. I don’t really think he’s been given a chance.

"Dougie has started this season ever so well. It is no coincidence if you look at the games since he’s been out of the side, we haven’t been quite as potent up front."

Scotland need to beat Lithuania on October 11 and hope Germany beat Iceland if they are to qualify for the playoffs. Freedman will return from his hamstring injury for Saturday’s clash against West Brom.