Lisa Gray, 11/09/2008

Scorers: ICELAND: Gudjohnsen (p) SCOTLAND: Broadfoot, McFadden

SCOTLAND manager George Burley insists the criticism he has endured over the last few days only succeeded in making him stronger as he finally registered his first win as national team coach.

Ten-man Scotland held on for a 2-1 win in Iceland tonight to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign after suffering a setback in their opener in Macedonia on Saturday.

Burley found himself in the firing line following the reverse in Skopje but proved some of his critics wrong in Reykjavik tonight.

He said: “I’m proud to be the manager of Scotland, I want to do my best for the national team and push on from here.

“I’m getting points for my country and the fans gave us great encouragement tonight which helps.

“In football, criticism makes you stronger. Sometimes it’s unjust but you can’t change it. I can only focus on the team and that’s the main thing.”

Burley showed he was not afraid to make bold decisions when Kenny Miller, Graham Alexander and Paul Hartley were dropped to the bench.

Kirk Broadfoot was given his debut, Kris Commons earned his first start and Shaun Maloney was also drafted into the starting line-up.

The gamble paid off when Broadfoot grabbed the opener to ease the pressure before Barry Robson doubled the advantage from the rebound of a saved James McFadden penalty.

Just when victory looked certain, Stephen McManus was dismissed for handball and Eidur Gudjohnsen pulled a late goal back from the penalty spot.

The Scots held on for the win and, speaking of his dramatic changes, Burley said: “You go into each game and you pick the best team for that individual game.

“You have to be brave as a manager and make decisions that are not always easy and you have to believe that you will get the result. I thought it worked well.”

The Scotland boss was also keen to single out Rangers full-back Broadfoot for praise, saying: “Kirk’s got good ability, he is a smashing player.

“He has worked hard to make himself a good player and he showed tonight that he can perform at international level so all credit to the boy.”

It proved to be a 26th birthday to forget for captain McManus when he saw red but Burley insisted: “He said he was pushed onto the ball, that was Stephen’s feelings on the incident, and he said that was why he handled it.”

Scotland now turn their attention to their first home game when they welcome Norway to Hampden next month.

Burley said: “We knew we needed points after Macedonia and three points from two away games keeps us in contention.

“We knew it would be a tough game after Iceland took a point from Norway and the boys had to work hard but thankfully we got the three points.

“We now concentrate on Norway at home and trying to get the three points from game. I am pleased for the players and for the country and we will do our best to qualify.

“There are only eight games to play and they will all be difficult so we were pleased to get the three points from this one.

“I still think we can do better and Norway will be a big test for us.”

Iceland coach Olafur Johannesson said: “I didn’t think it was a fair result - I thought the better team lost the game.”

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.

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.