RIGHT-BACK Robbie Stockdale will throw off his FA Cup semi-final hangover when he lines up for Scotland at Aberdeen tomorrow night, writes CLIVE HETHERINGTON.

The Middlesbrough defender is glad of the chance to get his side's Old Trafford defeat by Arsenal out of his system.

New boss Berti Vogts is set to blood Teessider Stockdale, who qualifies to play for the Scots through his grandparentage, in the clash with England's World Cup opponents Nigeria at Pittodrie.

"It's a big week for me and I suppose it's good that I'm not going to have time to dwell on the semi-final,'' said Stockdale, who collected an England Under-21 cap in the game with Georgia at the Riverside last season.

"I'm with the Scotland squad and it's good I've got something to take my mind off things. I'm very excited about being given the chance to make my international debut for Scotland and it makes me very proud.

"This has to have been one of the best weeks of my career, but it's still frustrating to have lost the semi-final.

"Like the rest of the team, I've got to pick myself up and hopefully enjoy the rest of the season.''

Stockdale, 22, admitted: "The semi-final is still buzzing in my head - the way we played, the fans, it was a great day, but ultimately it ended in major disappointment.

"To lose the way we did, when so many people had not given us a chance before the game, was hard to take.

"We had key men out, people expected us to lose three or four nil, but we gave our all - and gave Arsenal problems. That is something we can be proud of.

"The only goal we conceded in the competition was an own goal, but that is just one of those things.

"We don't blame Gianluca Festa, it just spun off his shin.''