Partick Thistle's Kenny Arthur, Celtic's John-Paul McGovern and Bristol City's Scott Murray have been given an unexpected chance to forge international careers with Scotland.

The trio were named in Berti Vogts' first Future Squad for what is effectively a B international against Germany in December.

And the match will also provide a chance for a number of players - including former Old Firm starlets Mark Burchill and Kenny Miller - to resurrect their international careers.

A third of the squad have already won full international caps either under Vogts or predecessor Craig Brown.

It's a big chance for that game against the Irish Scotland boss Berti Vogts

But the Scotland boss hopes that two or three others will eventually prove themselves worthy of a full international cap.

Vogts has a number of senior squad friendlies planned before resuming Euro 2004 qualification action in April, with the first against Ireland in February.

"It's a big chance for that game against the Irish," he said.

"I am saying 'please send me a signal with a good result and a good performance'.

"All these players need experience. None of them are playing in a European competition and that is very important for me and for the future."

Thistle goalkeeper Arthur, Celtic midfielder McGovern and Bristol winger Scott Murray have not even featured at Under-21 level previously.

McGovern, who has impressed on loan to Sheffield United, has not yet played for Celtic's first team.

Wigan Athletic's success at the top of the Nationwide Division Two table means that midfielder Gary Teale, formerly of Ayr United, and Andy Liddell are both included, although the striker could be a doubt with a calf strain.

Barry Nicholson is given another chance

Scotland boss Vogts hopes it will provide valuable experience for players on the fringes of the national squads.

Dunfermline Athletic's calls for midfielder Barry Nicholson to be given another chance have been answered and he is joined in the squad by former Rangers defender Scott Wilson.

Miller, formerly of Rangers, and former Celtic striker Burchill have slipped out of the Scotland frame through a loss of form and injury following their respective moves to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth.

Scotland's match at the Bruchweg Stadium in Mainz on Tuesday 17 December is part of a four-team tournament also involving Turkey and Czech Republic.

The tournament has already kicked off, with Turkey winning 2-1 in Germany.

Germany's side to face the Scotland Future Squad is made up entirely of Bundesliga regulars born between 1977 and 1981.

Further fixtures for the Future Squad include Turkey away on 25 February and Czech Republic at home on 20 May.

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Scotland Future Squad

Goalkeepers: N Alexander (Cardiff City), K Arthur (Partick Thistle), P Gallacher (Dundee United).

Defenders: G Caldwell (Newcastle United, on loan at Coventry), S Caldwell (Newcastle), J Kennedy (Celtic), L Wilkie (Dundee), S Wilson (Dunfermline Athletic).

Midfielders: S Crainey (Celtic), S Glass (Watford), J-P McGovern (Celtic, on loan at Sheffield United), I Murray (Hibernian), S Murray (Bristol City), B Nicholson (Dunfermline), G Rae (Dundee), S Severin (Hearts), G Teale (Wigan Athletic), G Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Forwards: M Burchill (Portsmouth), K Kyle (Sunderland), A Liddell (Wigan), K Miller (Wolverhampton Wanderers).