LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley will miss this month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Ukraine and Georgia because of a hamstring injury, his club said.
Hartley pulled up during Celtic's 2-1 win over Gretna on Sunday and his club manager, Gordon Strachan, said he expected the 30-year-old to be sidelined for up to three weeks.
His Celtic team mate, defender Gary Caldwell, will also miss Saturday's match against Ukraine with a knee injury.
Scotland manager Alex McLeish has not yet named replacements for the duo.
''We'll need to sit down and look at things carefully before making any decisions,'' McLeish was quoted as saying in the Daily Record newspaper.
''I'd have preferred Paul and Gary to be fully fit but I won't rush into any decisions. I'll have a good look and see what action to take, if any.'' Scotland are the surprise leaders of Group B with 21 points from nine games. They are a point ahead of World Cup champions Italy.
France are a further point adrift on 19.
After hosting Ukraine at Hampden Park on Saturday, Scotland travel to Georgia four days later.
Reuters SSC DB2052