Scotland v Macedonia: Kenny Miller stays cool ahead of clash

Published on Tuesday 11 September 2012 12:19

KENNY MILLER doesn’t believe failure to deliver a win against Macedonia tonight will spell the end of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying hopes.

The striker knows there will be even more pressure to take maximum points from the
clash at Hampden following Saturday’s goalless stalemate against Serbia at the same 
venue.

Hopes had been high of opening with two wins from the home games to provide the Scots with the best possible chance in what is set to be a tough section, which also includes Croatia, Belgium and Wales. But, despite just a single point on the board so far, Miller does not accept that anything less than victory against Macedonia would provide an early fatal blow to hopes of reaching 
Brazil in 2014.

“I wouldn’t say that,” said the veteran forward, who could 
reclaim the captain’s armband from Gary Caldwell.

“If you get a point and win your next eight, you’re top of the group. It’s as simple as that.

“We will be going out to win the game, definitely. It’s a home game and I think when you start with two home games, you would be very disappointed if you didn’t at least win one 
of them.

“We drew on Saturday so that leaves tonight and we will be going out to try to get the three points.”

Although he believes this game comes too early to have a major impact on the campaign as a whole, Miller did acknowledge the importance of three points tomorrow night.

Asked what needs to change from Saturday, he added: “We need to win, we need to get a goal. Goals win games. We need to turn that blank into at least a one or a two to win the game.

“We played pretty well, we created half chances and a couple of good chances that, on another night, we would have taken.

“We are still positive with the point. After Tuesday night, if we have four points out of six if we can win, you could find us sitting in a decent position in the group.”

Miller – who joined Vancouver Whitecaps in the summer – can fully understand the 
frustrations of the Tartan Army after the weekend result.

But he assured fans the players are more determined than anyone to end a lengthy exile from major finals that stretches back to 1998. He said: “In terms of the crowd, they turned up in their numbers again, they supported the team pretty much throughout the game and towards the end they were 
getting frustrated.

“As players, we were frustrated as well. We did have good positions, we had opportunities to take advantage of a few situations within the game that could have led to a goal and it just didn’t materialise for us. “We are as frustrated as they are. We understand that they want us to get off to a great start, a flying start, with two home games.

“I think that can still be achieved with a win tonight. It might turn out to be not a bad point against Serbia, who are a very good team.

“If we can get the win on Tuesday night, I think four points from six against those two teams is not a bad start.”

The 32-year-old added: “We desperately want to get there as well. I’ve played for the best part of ten years now and it’s basically been in that era where we have not qualified.

“I’m as desperate as anybody to try to make it to a major 
finals and I know there are 
another 23 lads like that in that dressing room. We understand the frustrations but you have to understand that we are supporters too. We are just as desperate and we’ve still got that desire to make it.”

Taken from the Scotsman