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Scotland picks England under-20 international

The Blackpool winger is eligible to play for Scotland because of the nationality of his grandparents and the Scottish Football Association is waiting for FIFA to confirm Phillips’ availability.

“I’m very excited about the young lad,” Scotland coach Craig Levein said. “Great things are expected of him.”

Levein also called up Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew for the first time after he scored in a 5-0 win at Hibernian that took his club 17 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Mulgrew was one of only four players in the 24-man squad to play for a Scottish Premier League club.

With Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon recalled after injury, the squad contains 13 from the English Premier League and seven from England’s second-tier League Championship.

Scotland meets Slovenia in the coastal town of Koper on Feb. 29.

Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers: Allan McGregor (Rangers), Craig Gordon (Sunderland), Matt Gilks (Blackpool)

Defenders: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gary Caldwell (Wigan), Grant Hanley (Blackburn), Russell Martin (Norwich)

Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Scott Brown (Celtic), Don Cowie (Cardiff), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough), Matt Phillips (Blackpool)

Forwards: Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers), James Forrest (Celtic), David Goodwillie (Blackburn), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton), Kenny Miller (Cardiff)