28 May 2008Clarkson leaves cousin at the altar

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Motherwell striker David Clarkson (22) was forced to miss his cousin, St. Mirren player Stephen O'Donnell's wedding after receiving a late call up to the Scotland squad.

Clarkson was due to be O'Donnell's best man on Friday (May 30th) but received a call from Scotland assistant boss Terry Butcher after late call-offs from other players.

But Clarkson told Metro Sport that O'Donnell is delighted for him.

"With him being a footballer, he understands.

"That's football and you have to do these things," he said.

"I couldn’t think of a better reason for not being best man than getting called up for Scotland."

It is Clarkson's first call-up to the national squad and comes in a season when both he and his cousin have had to deal with the death of their uncle.

Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell died of heart failure during a match against Dundee United at Fir Park in December 2007.

Scotland are due to play the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday (May 30th)

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