Scottish National Team Thread (R)

[markdickson]

Six players missed Scotland's first training session this morning, in preparation for Saturday's match in Iceland, but the good news is that there are no further call-offs from the squad.

Barry Ferguson and Neil McCann are Scotland manager Berti Vogts' main injury worries and missed the first session at Dumbarton's Strathclyde Homes Stadium. Others who missed out, to get extra rest, are captain Paul Lambert, Steven Pressley and Scott Severin, who had games on Sunday, while Robbie Stockdale had treatment for a knock picked up at the weekend. All, however, are expected to travel to Iceland and should be fit for the match.

Vogts said of Barry Ferguson: "I had a talk yesterday with him. He has started treatment with his club and I think he will train with the team on Thursday. He likes to play for Scotland and would like to play against the Iceland team on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Kevin Kyle and Gareth Williams have moved over to the Under 21 squad to help alleviate an injury crisis. Five players have already withdrawn, and Duff and Hammell are now also doubtful. Berti Vogts explained he thought it would be better for Kyle and Williams to get a competitive match with the 21s rather than sitting out the A match.

[markdickson]

Scotland Under 17s won their UEFA qualifying group in Azerbaijan today, despite losing their final group match 3-1 to Turkey. They now go through to the second round.

In today's match, played in scorching heat, the young Scots fought back from an early goal down to equalise when Darren Campbell of Reading headed in a Craig Reid cross. In the second half the Turks went ahead then clinched victory in the final minute. However, Turkey missed out on second place as Azerbaijan took the honours with a draw against Ukraine.

In Saturday's match, Scotland defeated the hosts 2-1 in Baku in front of a partizan crowd of 4,500 - but cheered on by a few hundred Scots oil workers. Craig Reid and Martin Wood got the goals.

Today's team: Reidford, Dick (sub Pelosi 66), McDaid, S Campbell, Reid, D Campbell, Woods, Anderson, Quinn (sub Lombardi 77), Gardyne (sub Mulgrew 60), Davidson.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

I think were going to get a draw today, got a wee feeling about it.
Unless we have the stoorieburn works 11 back 4 playing for us again today in which case we can and probably will lose heavier than is respectable against Iceland.

[Canadian_Supporter]

A win is needed, but a draw keeps Scotland alive in the group...

[markdickson]

U-21 International result from last night:

Iceland 0-2 Scotland
Kevin Kyle (17)
Simon Lynch (89)

*Olafur Ingi Skulason sent off (90)

[markdickson]

Scotland probable line-up to face Iceland:

(3-5-2)

GK Rab Douglas Celtic

DF Christian Dailly West Ham
DF Lee Wilkie Dundee
DF Steven Pressley Hearts

MD Maurice Ross Rangers
MD Jackie McNamara Celtic
MD Barry Ferguson Rangers
MD Paul Lambert (c) Celtic
MD Gary Naysmith Everton

FW Steve Crawford Dunfermline
FW Steven Thompson Dundee Utd

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Scotland take the lead in the 7th minute, christian Dailly.
We are all over them at the back, I might just change my draw prediction to a win if we can keep this up till say the 90th minute :)

[Parkhead_Faithful]

2-nil gary naysmith wonderstrike!
It looks like Berti's first win coming up.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

2-0 full time.
Excellent away win.

[markdickson]

:) :)

Scots top group 5!

1.) Scotland 2 4pts
------------------------
2.) Germany 1 3pts
------------------------
3.) Faroe Islands 1 1pt
4.) Iceland 1 0pts
5.) Lithuania 1 0pts

Berti unbeaten in competitive matches!

BTW All the home nations currently top thier qualifing group. Don't suppose it will last with Northern Ireland playing in Spain.

[markdickson]

some pics from Iceland-Scotland game:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38333000/jpg/_38333187_daillyscores300.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38333000/jpg/_38333353_lambert1_get.jpg

[markdickson]

and some more...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38333000/jpg/_38333261_christian_dailly_cele.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38333000/jpg/_38333355_berti_scotland.jpg

[Parkhead_Faithful]

I like that away strip, its like the one we had a few seasons back, shame the home strip looks like a knock off from safeways meat counter.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

http://www.subside.co.uk/images/shirts/scotass97.gif

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Mind you anything is better than this monstrosity:
http://www.subside.co.uk/images/shirts/scoass99.gif

[markdickson]

salmon pink :) Didn't we beat Germany wearing that top?

Hopefully we'll now sell a few more tickets for the Canada game on Tuesday and McFadden let lose on them.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

I think we got to wear our home strips that night in germany as they were in white.
I might be wrong though, well bladdered that night :)

[markdickson]

Today's just getting better - England one down in Slovakia :).

In the other game in our group, Lithuania beat the Faroes 2-0.

[Ed NYC Firm]

Now I'm really upset about not going to Iceland . Had the airline tickets but unfortunitely some stuff kept me home . Oh to be in the streets of R... (Oh I don't know to spell it ) tonight .

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Would it be over-confident to predict this will be Berti's second win?
Confidence will be high after beating iceland, a tricky place to go is Reykjavik as the czechs will testify.
Hmmmmm.
2-1 Scotland.