Iceland 1 Scotland 2THE MAN of limited ability gave George Burley the breathing space to develop as Scotland manager last night. Having arrived in Reykjavik as the least heralded international call-up in living memory, Kirk Broadfoot departed as the most unlikely saviour of his besieged manager. Victorious at last, the wolves have withdrawn from Burley's door.
Of course, life is never easy for a man under pressure and the manager's first win in international football was an ordeal. Two goals ahead and cruising, Scotland endured a torrid closing 15 minutes after the captain, Stephen McManus, was sent off for handling inside the area to gift Eidur Gudjohnsen a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
Yet they held out, and the eruption of relief from the away dug-out was evident with World Cup qualification and, to some, Burley's job on the line here.
Given the opportunity to now move forwards, Burley will be forever indebted to Broadfoot should he grasp it. The Rangers defender was described by his manager of possessing "limited ability" when called into the squad as cover for so many absences. He has revised that opinion now.
Despite the pressure, Burley eschewed caution and opted for a bold approach, matching Iceland's 4-2-3-1 system but fulfilling his policy of adventure by rewarding Shaun Maloney and Kris Commons for their impact-substitute displays against Macedonia with promotion to the starting line-up.
Broadfoot's international debut came at the expense of Graham Alexander. The decision heightened the sense of players and management united in a desire to confound sceptics who, in the words of the assistant manager, Terry Butcher, had indulged in a "feeding frenzy" since Skopje.
Big Broadfoot's first contribution was not encouraging, the Rangers defender collecting an early booking for a foul on Bjarni Eiriksson. Burley's side could not afford to ship an early goal again but they afforded Iceland plenty of opportunity as Scott Brown and Barry Robson sought their bearings as holding midfielders and the home side revelled in the spaces behind Maloney and Commons.
Hermann Hreidarsson, one of four English-based players in the Iceland side, had the game's first chance blocked. Craig Gordon produced the first save from the rampaging Aron Gunnarsson and Bolton's Heidar Helguson headed an inviting cross over.
The greatest reprieve was granted by Gudjohnsen, when he met Helguson's cross with an over-elaborate volley, and sent his effort into orbit. A critical let-off.
One minute later Scotland took the lead for the first time when Broadfoot stooped to meet Robson's corner in a crowded penalty area. The breakthrough energised Scotland, with Maloney a constant threat down the left despite his propensity to slip at times.
Iceland's menace was thawing against an increasingly resilient Scottish defence, and a moment of ingenuity from Darren Fletcher put the visitors further ahead in the 59th minute. A quick free-kick from the Manchester United midfielder released McFadden in space behind the home defence and he forced Kristjan Sigurdsson into a desperate lunge. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and though Kjartan Sturluson saved McFadden's strike from 12 yards, the Birmingham City forward beat Robson to the rebound and doubled Scotland's lead.
Gudjohnsen's more emphatic penalty-kick and the loss of McManus suddenly punctured the mood. In the final minute Helguson shot towards goal but it deflected over off the backside of Gary Caldwell. Such fine, fine margins can decide big games.
ICELAND:Sturluson, Birkir Mar Saevarsson (Gunnarson 77), Eiriksson (Indridi Sigurdsson 46), Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson (Palmason 63), Steinsson,Hreidarsson, Gislason, Gudjohnsen, Helguson, Hallfredsson.
Subs Not Used:Torgeirsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Thordarson, Thorvaldsson. Booked: Helguson, Palmason.
SCOTLAND:Gordon, Broadfoot, Naysmith, McManus, Caldwell, Brown, Darren Fletcher, Maloney (Alexander 78), McFadden (Hartley 80), Robson, Commons (Miller 62).
Subs Not Used:McGregor, Boyd, Steven Fletcher, Berra. Sent Off: McManus (76). Booked: Broadfoot, Robson, Gordon.
Referee:Serge Gumienny (Belgium).
Guardian Service
