Scotland's World Cup bid given the kiss of life in Reykjavik

Peter Jardine

Scotland came to the most northerly capital of Europe in desperate need of victory last night — and reset the compass for a World Cup trek to South Africa in 2010.

The dream destination is back on thanks to a new hero and an old favourite claiming the goalscoring plaudits amid the Reykjavik rejuvenation. Kirk Broadfoot marked his international debut with an early header and James McFadden scored with a rebound after his penalty had been saved.

It was a terrific team effort that ended 11 months of anxiety for the Tartan Army waiting to savour a victory and breathed life into our Group Nine ambitions as well as giving the bold George Burley his first win as Scotland boss.
Kirk Broadfoot score in his first game for Scotland

Dream debut: Kirk Broadfoot score in his first game for Scotland

However, there was also the obligatory agony to endure when skipper Stephen McManus conceded a 77th-minute penalty when he stupidly handled a cross to let Eidur Gudjohnsen ensure a nail-biting finish for the fans.

McManus, on his 26th birthday, was red-carded by Belgian referee Serge Gumienny and will now miss the clash with Norway at Hampden Park next month.

Iceland scented a point and Heidar Helguson had a last-minute effort deflected away by Gary Caldwell, who knew little about his match-saving intervention. But that doesn’t matter one jot.

The Scotland manager had boldly rearranged his line-up and tactics following the 1-0 defeat to Macedonia and his positive selection literally provided a net profit. Burley had described Rangers defender Broadfoot as having ‘limited ability’ after calling him up but the right-back displayed limitless passion as he helped the boss claim his first success in five matches.

Darren Fletcher was central to creating the decisive second as he displayed some quick-thinking to free McFadden to win the penalty.

And although keeper Kjartan Sturluson blocked the striker’s spot-kick, the Birmingham man beat Barry Robson to the final touch to claim his 14th Scots goal.

McFadden has now scored for four different bosses as he matures from the ‘Cheeky Boy’ introduced by Berti Vogts six years ago. Burley had a host of heroes in white shirts. Gary Naysmith, Caldwell, Robson and Broadfoot stood firm throughout.

The manager deserves plaudits as well and can take credit for trusting in Broadfoot after a decent Old Firm performance 10 days ago. The debutant headed Scotland in front after 19 minutes and it was a magnificent moment for the player.

Burley’s ‘limited ability’ label had caused controversy, but he trusted Broadfoot for the assignment in Iceland, as 36-year-old Graham Alexander stepped down.

Other surprises in the starting team came further forward. Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley was dropped, with Shaun Maloney and Kris Commons brought in, while Kenny Miller was the other high- profile omission. Scotland had a couple of early scares, with Broadfoot picking up a booking after just 11 minutes for a foul on Bjarni Eirkiksson.

The first real threat for the home side came when Robson failed to prevent Aron Gunnarson crossing from the right and the unmarked Helguson headed over.

Iceland went even closer after 16 minutes. Caldwell won a tackle, but the ball broke to Helguson and his cross was tailored perfectly for Gudjohnsen. Luckily for Scotland, the Barcelona star’s finish was lashed wildly over. The whole picture was about to change and it was mainly down to Broadfoot, who charged up the wing and forced a corner. When Robson’s delivery was fired in, the Rangers right-back attacked the ball in the air superbly to score.

Gudjohnsen then missed out again when his great run took him away from Brown, but he could not quite reach an enticing Eiriksson cross.

Broadfoot was at the centre of the action again when he made another great run out wide and was found by McFadden but Commons lacked the height to challenge for his cross.

When McManus slipped moments later, Gudjohnsen scented a chance, but Robson did really well to clear the danger. Maloney felt he should have had a foul soon after, then bent in a teasing cross that the Iceland defence struggled to clear.
McFadden and Robson race in to score Scotland's second goal

Penalty follow up: McFadden and Robson race in to score Scotland's second goal

McFadden was next in the thick of the action, working a quick throw-in to square the ball across the box, but there were no takers. Robson’s physical interventions were a highlight of a battling display but he was eventually booked — for kicking the ball away.

Another promising move won a corner but Robson’s ambitious effort from a tight angle was well held by Sturluson. It was Scotland who breathed a heavy sigh of relief before the break, however, when McManus had to clear off the line after Hermann Hreidarsson applied the final touch to a left-wing cross.

Iceland upped their work-rate after the interval but the pressure eased on Scotland after 59 minutes when McFadden won a spot-kick. Furious at being denied one in Skopje, he pulled down a quick free-kick from Fletcher before being hauled down by Kristjan Sigurdsson. This time there was no doubt and referee Gumienny pointed to the spot.

McFadden stepped up to take the kick and when Sturluson blocked his effort, Robson and the Birmingham man darted in for the rebound. It was McFadden who won the race to net.

That should have been that, but it is never simple with Scotland and Iceland were handed a lifeline with 13 minutes left. Emil Hallfredsson’s cross was bound for Helguson and McManus pushed it away with his hand.

Although the Celt claimed he was pushed, Gudjohnsen ignored all the protests to score. The home side scented leveller against 10 men and Craig Gordon was booked for timewasting as the clock ticked down. The keeper then had Caldwell to thank for blocking Helguson’s shot.

But Scotland clung or for a precious victory — even though watching them should carry a Holyrood health warning.