Saviour Broadfoot breathes new life into Scotland

World Cup Euro Qual Gp 9
Iceland 1

* Gudjohnsen (pen) 77

Scotland 2

* Broadfoot 18,
* Robson 59

* Andy Hunter at Laugardalsvollur Stadium

Kirk Broadfoot scored Scotland's first goal as they took three points in Iceland. Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

The man of limited ability gave George Burley breathing space to develop his own gifts as Scotland manager last night. Having arrived in Reykjavik as the least heralded international call-up in living memory, Kirk Broadfoot departed the most unlikely saviour of his besieged manager. Victorious at last, the wolves have withdrawn from Burley's door.

Naturally, life is never easy for a man under pressure and the manager's first win in international football proved an ordeal. Two goals up and cruising, Scotland endured a torrid closing 15 minutes after their captain, Stephen McManus, received a red card on his 26th birthday for deliberate handball and gifted Eidur Gudjohnsen a consolation from the penalty spot. Yet they held out, and the eruption of relief in the visitors' dugout, with World Cup qualification and, to some, Burley's job on the line here, resembled another geyser going off in Iceland.

Broadfoot had been described as having "limited ability" by his manager when drafted into the squad as cover but Burley, who insists the comment was in tribute to the hard graft the 24-year-old Rangers defender has produced to improve his game, will not employ those words again.

"Kirk has good ability but people turned my comments around," insisted the Scotland manager. "He is a smashing player who has worked hard to make himself a good player and tonight he showed he is good enough for international football. I am delighted for him, for the players and my country. We can push on from here."

Burley entered this game under siege after Saturday's defeat in Macedonia but he did not take the easy option and pick a side laden with caution. He stuck to his principles of greater adventure by selecting his most expressive talents in a 4-2-3-1 system which matched Iceland's.

Big Broadfoot's first contribution on his debut was not encouraging, collecting an early booking for a foul on Bjarni Eiriksson, but he improved immeasurably after Scotland survived several close calls. The greatest reprieve was granted by Gudjohnsen, who opted for a Hollywood finish when unmarked six yards from goal but fired an overelaborate volley into orbit.

It was a crucial moment. Sixty seconds after the Barcelona player's wild miss Scotland were ahead when Broadfoot stooped to meet Barry Robson's corner in a crowded penalty area and, to general astonishment, emerged the hero.

The breakthrough energised the visitors and an immaculate ball from Shaun Maloney almost created a tap-in for James McFadden.

Iceland's threat remained and McManus had to clear a Hermann Hreidarsson effort off his goalline. But the home side's menace evaporated in the second half against an increasingly resilient Scottish defence, and a moment of ingenuity from Darren Fletcher put the visitors further ahead. Quick thinking and an even quicker free-kick from the Manchester United midfielder released McFadden in space behind the home defence and forced Kristjan Sigurdsson into a desperate lunge. The referee, Belgium's Serge Gumienny, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and, although Kjartan Sturluson saved McFadden's strike, the Birmingham City forward beat Robson to the rebound and doubled Scotland's lead.

Gudjohnsen's more emphatic penalty kick and the added punishment of McManus's red card suddenly punctured the mood. A desperate finale ensued. In the final minute Heider Helguson's goalbound shot deflected inches over off the backside of Gary Caldwell. Such fine, fine margins.

"Criticism is sometimes unjust in football but I can't change that," said Burley. "I can only focus on the team as national manager and getting points for my country. That is bigger than anything else."

Taken from the Guardian/Observer