A Scotland team bearing little resemblance to the probable World Cup XI had to scramble for a result in the Edinburgh rain last night against a Finland side that led through Jonathan Johansson, the Rangers winger, after nine minutes. Celtic's Darren Jackson levelled soon after, but once again there was a distinct lack of menace about the home side.

That goal from Johansson could not have been anticipated from the early stages, but there was an alarming disarray at times about the home defence and midfield.

There seems little doubt that manager Craig Brown was acknowledging the needs of club managers faced with serious commitments this weekend in his selection. This would explain the omission of the Celtic three - Tom Boyd, Paul Lambert and Simon Donnelly - and of the Rangers striker Gordon Durie. Matt Elliott and Derek Whyte are unfamiliar wing-backs and Colin Calderwood is not often seen playing in front of the defence, and this surely contributed to that opening goal.

It was a simple, long ball from Sami Hyypia in defence that flummoxed Colin Hendry and the others, who made futile claims for offside as Johansson quite legitimately romped past them and headed for Jim Leighton, slipping the ball low to his left. Jackson, the only Celtic player to make the starting team, could hardly miss the opportunity he was given to score the equaliser.

John Collins's free-kick from 20 yards hit the wall and bounced out to Elliott. The Leicester man played it out to Calderwood on the right and his centre was long and accurate. Christian Dailly headed down to Scott Booth, whose blocked shot broke to Jackson. Facing an unguarded net from two yards, his arm was raised in acclaim almost before he slid it over the line.

The Scots should have scored another two goals within 12 minutes of half-time. The first opportunity came from a lazy pass from Marko Tuomela across his own penalty area, the ball travelling straight to Booth. The striker hit it hard, but shoulder high, allowing Niemi to punch back into play. It fell straight to Scot Gemmill, looking at a gaping net from 20 yards. The Forest player volleyed too high.

Hendry, captain for the night, had a shocking miss shortly after, John Collins delivering the perfect cross which Hendry, uncharacteristically, headed wide of Niemi's right-hand post.

Scotland: Leighton, Elliott, Whyte, Calderwood, Hendry, Dailly, Gemmill, McKinlay, Booth, Jackson, Collins. Subs: Sullivan, Boyd, Weir, Lambert, Donnelly, Gallacher, Durie. Finland: Niemi, Ylonen, Tuomela, Hyypia, Coskinen, Mahilo, Reini, Valakari, Sumiala, Litmanen, Johansson. Subs: Moilanen, Paatelainen, Kolkka, Kinnunen, Turpeinen, Riihilahti.

Referee: H Van Dijk (Holland).