Best result of my career, says Burley

ANGUS WRIGHT
GEORGE Burley's summation of the significance of Scotland's 2-1 victory over Iceland in Reykjavik last night put into one sentence all the relief and exhilaration of an 18-year managerial career.
"It is the best result of my time as a manager," said Burley, just minutes after goals from the debutant, Kirk Broadfoot, and striker James McFadden, had given the Scots the victory that atoned for the failure in Macedonia four days earlier and restored the hope that they can qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in two years' time.

"To get points for your country, to have the opportunity to take them to a major championship, nothing can top that," he added. "We came here tonight knowing we needed to pick up points after the defeat in Skopje and we've done that. That's two away matches past and three points taken. We have Norway at Hampden Park next (in October] and, if we could take three points from that game, we would be right in contention.

"Yes, you could say this match in Iceland was a test of character for our players after what happened in the opening game, but football's always a test of character. And it's especially tough at international level. This World Cup group we are in was always going to be competitive, we knew that the minute the draw was made and it is already being proved, with teams taking points off each other.

"Iceland drew in Norway last Saturday, we lost to Macedonia and Holland beat Macedonia tonight. So we are left with three teams on three points each and two teams on one point each. It will be like that all the way, so anything we get is not going to come easily."

Burley shared the anxieties of every one of the 1,000 or so Scottish supporters at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium as well as those watching on television at home when the 2-0 lead his team had established was suddenly cut in half, as Stephen McManus conceded a penalty kick with a deliberate hand ball and was sent of as Eidur Gudjohnsen, the Barcelona striker, converted the kick.

It meant a testing final 12 minutes for the Scots, as Broadfoot moved from right-back to join the heroic Gary Caldwell in central defence, Graham Alexander left the bench to fill in at full-back and Paul Hartley came on to play a defensive midfield role.

The anxiety had begun a little earlier, however, when McFadden missed the penalty kick he was awarded when he was tripped by Kristjan Sigurdsson, but followed up to net the rebound.

"Actually, there wasn't really time to get too emotional at that moment," said Burley. "I thought, 'oh, he's missed', but then he followed up so quickly along with Barry Robson that the ball was in the net anyway. That gave us the two-goal cushion and I did believe then that we would win all right.

"But, of course, we weren't to know what was to come with the incident with Stephen. He felt he was pushed in the back by his opponent (Heidar Helguson] and that was why he was so unhappy about the award of the penalty kick and the ordering-off."

McManus will now miss the match against Norway, but Burley's re-arranged team last night – often playing a bold 4-3-3 formation – revealed players that give him more options, with Shaun Maloney wide on the left and Scott Brown in a central midfield role especially noticeable.

As for the severe criticism Burley had had to face in the wake of the Macedonia debacle, he remained typically stoical about the possibility that he had made some of the more savage of the denigrator eat their words. "In football, criticism at times has to make you stronger," he said. "It may be unjust, but I can't change that. All I can do is focus on preparing my team, making them better and doing the best we can to get points. That's what we've got on with."

Team ratings

Craig Gordon 6/10

Untroubled in the first half beyond a fine punch clear from a dangerous cross and probably would have saved Hermann Hreidarsson's shot on 41 minutes even if Stephen McManus had not punted the ball clear. No chance with Eidur Gudjohnsen's penalty, and was then booked for time-wasting in the closing stages.

Kirk Broadfoot 6

Used his head to great effect after a perfectly timed run at a corner to give Scotland the lead. However, a mindless challenge on the touchline brought an early booking and unnecessary pressure on his international debut. Adapted well enough but did not use his size and strength to the full in defence, often looking better when pushing forward, particularly in the first half.

Gary Caldwell 6

Excellent clearance when facing his own goal and dealing with a wicked cross on 47 minutes. Still prone to lapses, as is his partner Stephen McManus, but the Celtic pair are at least used to covering for each other. Fortunate but crucial deflection on Heidar Helguson's goal-bound shot in injury time and can be reasonably satisfied with his evening's work.

Stephen McManus 3

Not the steadying influence in defence that Scotland need, and has probably been promoted beyond his true capabilities and experience at this level. In the right place at the right time to boot clear a goal-bound effort shortly before half-time, then got it all hopelessly wrong with a blatant handball that led to an inevitable sending off. Hardly a captain's contribution.

Gary Naysmith 5

The most senior member of last night's starting XI, at least in terms of caps, and with no true contenders for the left-back berth he could be adding to his 42-cap tally for some time to come. Far from flawless display, however, and was fortunate to be allowed to make up for a slack pass across his own defensive line with time ticking down.

Darren Fletcher 5

One pass that set Kris Commons away down the right flank in the first half highlighted the talent that gets him a game for Manchester United. A composed contributor but needs to impress himself more on games for 90 minutes and play to the level Scotland require of him. Nobody else in the squad mixes it with the calibre of opposition Fletcher does at club level, but it is not often he stands head and shoulders above his Scotland team-mates. Last night was a case in point.

Scott Brown 5

Not at his best when having to track runners, which, with Paul Hartley left out of the starting line-up, was more in his remit than in Macedonia. Rarely got forward to aid Scotland's attacks but was willing to do more than his fair share when the 'all hands on deck' cry went out in the closing stages. This included one lung-bursting run down the right wing but, as is often the case with Brown, it failed to live up to its initial promise. Not an automatic selection when everyone returns to fitness.

Barry Robson 7

Tremendous whipped delivery from a corner on the right set up Kirk Broadfoot's opening goal. Lucky to not get booked for a rough challenge on 28 minutes before receiving a yellow card for kicking the ball away soon after. An alert follow-up of McFadden's penalty but remains a conundrum; too good to leave out, too headstrong to trust.

Kris Commons 5

Too cute on the ball at times, too lightweight at others and one slip set in motion the Iceland attack that brought a wild volley attempt from Eidur Gudjohnsen in the first half. Made way for Kenny Miller on 63 minutes.

James McFadden 6

Did well to win penalty on 56 minutes but his conversion attempt was lamentable and he was lucky to get a second bite on the rebound. Not ideally suited to leading the line and did not make himself available for crosses often enough. Substituted for Paul Hartley on 81 minutes.

Shaun Maloney 6

Scotland's most dangerous player in the first period, firing over some excellent crosses including an insightful delivery towards McFadden on 35 minutes that almost produced an own goal. Much quieter in the second period before being replaced by Graham Alexander on 79 minutes as part of a defensive reshuffle.

SUBSTITUTES

Kenny Miller 3

(For Commons 63). Woeful cross from the left flank was his only notable contribution.

Graham Alexander 3

(For Maloney 79). Fulfilled his clean-up role after McManus's dismissal.

Paul Hartley 2

(For McFadden 81) Little time to make an impression.

Taken from the Scotsman