Knox rues missed chances as Scots suffer crucial loss

ARCHIE Knox suffered a disappointing start to his new role as Scotland's Under-21 manager as his team fell to a narrow defeat in Slovenia in a European Championship qualifier last night.

The young Scots had enjoyed the best of the chances at the Fazanerija Stadium in Murska Sobota, however a goal from Miran Burgic after 58 minutes gave Slovenia the victory.

It means that Scotland must defeat France by a substantial margin at Pittodrie on 1 September to have any real chance of qualifying for the play-offs. And, after passing up a number of first-half chances to claim a crucial win yesterday, the Under-21 manager admits qualification is now out of the Scots' hands.

Knox said: "I am not faulting anyone for how they went about the business in warm and humid conditions that are a bit foreign to Scotland, but we created several opportunities to score and we are not just talking about half-chances.

"We have to take these opportunities when they come along because we could have been three or four up by half-time.

"If we had scored, it would have allowed us to play the game in a totally different manner and this is happening too often for it to be considered a one-off.

"We also lost a preventable goal and, when you do not pick up something from games, it becomes a struggle to qualify.

"I would be very surprised if France do not beat Slovenia when they play next month.

"And, although you never say never about qualification, you must concentrate on getting your own results first and not rely on others."

Valter Birsa shot wide for Slovenia in the tenth minute, and Borut Semler tested Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall moments later but the Celtic player was equal to the shot.

Scotland eventually began to threaten and Kilmarnock forward Steven Naismith drilled in a ten-yard strike but Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic was able to

parry. Hearts striker Calum Elliot almost pounced on the rebound but defender Dejan Kelhar was faster to the ball.

Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond also went close with a header just before half-time, but the Slovenians were the better side after the break and took the lead in the 58th minute.

Semler found Dalibor Stevanovic

with a clever pass and although the Real Sociedad player's effort was initially saved by Marshall, the ball fell kindly for Burgic who slotted home comfortably.

Slovenia Under-21: Handanovic, Brecko, Bojan Jokic, Rok Bozic, Kelhar, Pahor (Travner 65), Semler, Vrsic (Pecnik 79), Burgic, Dalibor Stevanovic, Birsa (Kronaveter 90). Subs Not Used: Nenezic, Hadzic, Cvijanovic, Tomazic-Seruga.

Scotland Under-21: Marshall, Whittaker, Wilson, Thomson, Diamond, Broadfoot, Brown, Naismith, Elliot (Foster 75), Adam (Beattie 66), Wallace (Rocco Quinn 66). Subs Not Used: Samson, Paul Quinn, McEveley, McCormack.

Taken from the Scotsman