Did anyone hear about the gangland attacks in Glasgow the other week? It involved the Hanlon brothers. One got a power drill bored through his head, the other had a chisel to his dick and then they shoved the same chisel shoved up his arse, i can assure you, that watching that Scotland performance tonight particularly in the first half was more painful.
Scotland hosted Liechtenstein - a country about the population of Falkirk who are ranked 141st in the world. But on this display you wouldnt think for one moment there was 100 places separating the two countries.
A goal by Steven Mcmanus in the 97th minute of play saved the blushes of a decisively poor Scotland side which gave them a 2-1 victory, this actually puts Scotland top of group I.
Craig Levein had obviously thought ahead before the game installing fans to play bagpipes in the background during periods of the game where Scotland were playing ineptly to drown out the boo's of the home fans. Perhaps what would have been more appropriate was to give everyone a blindfold so that the fans wouldnt have to endure what they were watching.
To put it bluntly the first half was shocking. Liechtenstein frustrated the Scots and Craig Levein's side never looked like threatening. A few hopeful long diagonal balls for Miller to chase was all the home side could muster. Mcfadden gave the ball away so often and it was not very surprising that he was substituted at half time. James Morrison came on to give Scotland more impetus in attack and a change in formation, however it would be the minnows who would take the lead with a lovely goal.
On 46 minutes, Mario Frick their captain took the ball into feet at the edge of the box, McManus gave him enough room to turn and curl the ball into top corner away from the despairing dive of McGregor. A piercing silence filled the stadium, it was a superb finish and nothing less than the visitors deserved.
Scotland had yet to register a shot on target but on 57 minutes Jehle had to be at his best to deny a powerful driven 25 yard shot from Fletcher. It fell kindly to the Manchester United midfielder who struck it sweetly towards goal but Jehle diverted it over the crossbar.
The consequences of this scoreline had started to seep into Scotland. This result would be up there with one of the worst results in their history if the score remained the same. Fortunately however it didnt. Kenny Miller's powerful shot just after the hour mark zipped in off the underside of the bar given the keeper no chance and the relief could be felt around the ground. Indeed Miller's reaction to the goal was almost as if he'd won the Euro Championships himself.
Scotland piled on the pressure which resulted in the away side using more cruder tactics of time wasting and putting in more physical challenges. One which incidentally ended Lee Wallace's night as he had to go off injured. On came Robson who's delivery from set pieces was excellent and he could have Scotland in the lead from a free kick on the edge of the box but much like the pattern of the last half an hour a Liechtenstein head, body or anything they could throw in the way of the ball managed to deflect it away from danger.
But Scotland had to be wary, the away side were dangerous on the counter. A rasping shot from Hasler had McGregor scrambling but he did enough to ensure there would be no further embarrassment.
Finally with literally the last touch of the ball McManus made up for his earlier error by heading in from a Robson corner sending the Scottish fans into raptures with a mixture of overwhelming joy and relief.
