Scotland 2 Liechtenstein 1:SCOTLAND HAVE apparently plummeted to the depths where a victory in this match should not have been regarded as a formality. It took a headed goal from a corner in the 97th minute of the match, from Stephen McManus, to save them from an unimaginable draw.
Craig Levein had hoped the emphatic manner of his team’s win, against a team ranked 141 in the world, would have proved the main talking point this morning.
As it transpired, Scottish football’s obituary was being prepared with 44 minutes left to play. Levein was also, at that juncture, facing a genuine battle to hold on to his job.
As Mario Frick sent Liechtenstein into the lead, onlookers prepared for the lowest point in what has been a rapid – and possibly terminal – slump from Scotland’s national team. Levein, so perturbed by media coverage after the draw in Lithuania, was the recipient of a chorus of boos as the half-time whistle blew.
Kenny Miller got Scotland back on track with a ferocious half-volley. The level of jubilation in the stands, and on the field, suggested Scotland’s desperation.
Any sense that the closing minutes wound down with Scotland camped in their visitors’ half would be the wrong one. Liechtenstein looked sharp in attack, and in spells as likely to notch a second goal as their – apparently – more illustrious opponents were. That changed with McManus’s goal, but Scotland were still embarrassed.
Guardian Service
SCOTLAND: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, McManus, Wallace (Robson 54 mins), Brown, Darren Fletcher, McCulloch, McFadden (Morrison 46 mins), Miller, Boyd (Naismith 66). Subs Not Used: Gilks, Adam, Berra, Hartley. Booked: Robson, McCulloch, McGregor, Hutton.
LIECHTENSTEIN: Jehle, Oehri, Martin Stocklasa, Michael Stocklasa, Rechsteiner, Polverino, Wieser (Ronny Buchel 71), Erne, Frick (D'Elia 78), Burgmeier, David Hasler (Nicolas Hasler 90). Subs Not Used: Bicer, Eberle, Hanselmann, Vogt. Booked: Burgmeier, Wieser, Martin Stocklasa, Frick, Rechsteiner, Polverino, D'Elia.
Referee: V Shvetsov(Ukraine).
