Index

Sublime finishes from Kenny Miller and Jamie Mackie gave Scotland an otherwise workmanlike win over Cyprus.

Visiting keeper Allan McGregor turned a Georgios Efrem effort on to the bar before Miller's 23rd-minute lob. A Sinisa Dobrasinovic strike hit a post, but the Scots ended the first half by creating a series of chances.
Mackie finished off a jinking run after 56 minutes and, although Demitris Christofi fired in three minutes later, the Scots won the friendly in Larnaca. Scotland coach Craig Levein had resisted the temptation to experiment, leaving his potential debutants on the bench against a much-changed Cypriot side.

Home coach Nikos Nioplias was looking to end a run of four defeats under his charge and had left several seasoned campaigners out of his side as he looked to give youth a chance. And, although Scotland started the game in confident fashion, playing the ball neatly around the Cypriot penalty box, it was the home side who threatened first at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium. Former Rangers and Dundee midfielder Efrem's shot on the turn inside the box was held by McGregor and striker Christofi rose above his marker but headed straight at the goalkeeper from 14 yards.
Scotland were looking vulnerable to the quick break and, although there was a suspicion of offside when Efrem controlled the ball neatly 20 yards out, there was no mistaking the quality of the subsequent strike - and the McGregor save that diverted the ball off the crossbar. It took 21 minutes for the Scots to deliver a shot on goal, with Miller nipping behind the defence to control the ball on his chest and send a shot bobbling across the face of goal and past the far post. That was with his less lethal left foot and, when a similar ball was played over his head by Christophe Berra to his right seconds later, Miller was much more assured.
The striker cushioned the ball on the top of his foot then looped it over stranded goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides and into the far corner of the net. Cyprus went close to equalising immediately when Dobrasinovic sent a thundering 25-yard drive off the post. However, the goal settled the Scots and they began to dominate the game, with Mackie weaving his way into the penalty box before having his effort blocked by Georgallides. Steven Whittaker looked to pick out Miller for his second goal from inside the six-yard box, but George Merkis did well to scramble the ball clear. James Morrison attempted a 25-yard lob over Georgallides, but the goalkeeper managed to claw the audacious effort over the crossbar. Tasos Kissas replaced Georgallides at half-time and was given no chance when Mackie took on two defenders before curling the ball into the far corner from eight yards. Cyprus struck back in their next attack, with substitute Marios Nikolaou threading the ball behind Phil Bardsley and Christofi firing low inside the far post.
Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes came on as a late substitute and stung the hands of Kissas with a powerful, stoppage-time drive.

Cyprus: Georgallides (Kissas 46), Merkis, Alexandrou (Katsis 69), Demetriou (Sielis 46), Parpas (Nicolaou 58), Satsias, Dobrasinovic (Vasilou 74), Solomou, Avraam (Mitidis 46), Christofi, Efrem. Subs Not Used: Charalambous, Stavrou, Mastrou.

Booked: Demetriou, Dobrasinovic.

Goals: Christofi 59.

Scotland: McGregor, Whittaker, Caldwell, Berra, Bardsley (Crainey 74), Mackie (Rhodes 87), Cowie, Fletcher (McArthur 63), Morrison, Robson (Conway 80), Miller (Mackail-Smith 63). Subs Not Used: Gilks, Goodwillie, Stevenson, Hanley, MacKenzie, Samson.

Booked: Whittaker.

Goals: Miller 23,Mackie 56.

Att: 2,000

Referee: Meir Levi (Israel).

Spain's David Silva shatters Scotland's Euro 2012 play-off dreams

Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign ended in failure as they lost heavily to Spain in Alicante.

A first-half brace from David Silva and a third from David Villa meant David Goodwillie's 66th-minute penalty was of little consolation to travelling fans. The Scots finish Group I in third place with 11 points from eight fixtures. The Czech Republic's 4-1 win over Lithuania means they go into Thursday's play-off draw at the expense of Craig Levein's side. Scotland's coach had named an unchanged line-up for their final fixture, with Craig Mackail-Smith again playing as a lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Levein 'encouraged' by Scotland progress
Spain, meanwhile, made six changes, among them goalkeeper Iker Casillas being rested in favour of Victor Valdes and Fernando Torres replaced by Villa up front. And the world champions were immediately in control, with Scotland failing to get a touch of the ball in the opening two minutes of play. Seconds later, news filtered through from Lithuania that the Czech Republic had gone a goal up through a Michal Kadlec penalty as they headed for a win that would mean Scotland had to defeat the world champions to prevent the Czechs taking second place in the group. That task was made harder in the sixth minute, when Jordi Alba, making his debut for Spain, sent in a cross from the byline that found Silva, who drove the ball under goalkeeper Allan McGregor from 10 yards. David Goodwillie Davd Goodwillie scored his first international goal from the spot
A shell-shocked Scotland had the chance to respond two minutes later when Steven Naismith was on the end of Barry Bannan's cross in from the left, but the angle was too difficult for the Rangers striker to hit the target. McGregor saved from Santi Cazorla and Pedro as Levein's side were not allowed to settle with wave after wave of attack from the Spaniards. News after 18 minutes that the Czech Republic had gone 2-0 up in Lithuania only served to make Scotland's efforts appear all the more futile. There were further chances for Cazorla and Carlos Puyol, before Naismith was again frustrated in front of goal by a well-timed Gerard Pique challenge. A Naismith flick set up his captain, Darren Fletcher, but the Manchester United midfielder sent his drive over the crossbar from 16 yards.
However, Spain continued to coolly dictate the game and their patience paid off just before half-time. Silva darted from the halfway line to the edge of McGregor's box then casually exchanged a one-two with Pedro before slipping a left-footed shot past McGregor. Scotland's strategy after the break was clear when McGregor fired the ball across the length of the pitch to Mackail-Smith, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards out was on target but straight into the hands of Valdes.
While Scotland hit and hoped, Spain continued to craft and their third was a collaboration between Silva and Villa. The Manchester City midfielder surged through the Scotland defence before unselfishlessly holding up the ball in anticipation of Villa's run, the Barcelona striker slotting home for his 50th international goal.
With the deficit growing, Levein introduced Goodwillie as an additional striker and the Blackburn Rovers player was called into action almost immediately when Mackail-Smith was upended by Valdes having pounced upon a loose ball. Goodwillie slotting home from the spot, but any lingering hope of a Scotland comeback died when he drove high and wide with 10 minutes left rather than play in the well-positioned Mackail-Smith as Spain finished their qualifying campaign with a 100% record.

Spain: Valdes, Sergio Ramos, Puyol (Arbeloa 46), Pique, Jordi Alba, Xavi (Llorente 64), Busquets, Silva (Thiago 55), Santi Cazorla, Villa, Pedro. Subs Not Used: Casillas, Javi Martinez, Torres, Mata.

Booked: Sergio Ramos.

Goals: Silva 6, 44, Villa 54.

Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Berra, Caldwell, Bardsley, Morrison, Fletcher (Cowie 85), Adam (Forrest 63), Bannan (Goodwillie 63), Mackail-Smith, Naismith. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Whittaker, Robson, McManus.
Booked: Fletcher, Goodwillie, Morrison.

Goals: Goodwillie 66 pen.

Att: 24,896

Ref: Stefan Johannesson (Sweden).

Mackail-Smith goal keeps Scots' Euro 2012 hopes alive

Scotland moved second in Euro 2012 qualifying Group I with a narrow win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith's looping header put Scotland ahead in the 32nd minute.
And with the European minnows unable to respond in a lacklustre second half, Craig Levein's side could still clinch a play-off place.
The win puts the Scots a point ahead of Czech Republic with each having one match remaining. Playing in a 4-5-1 formation with Mackail-Smith as a lone striker, Scotland started aggressively, gaining three corners in the opening four minutes but failing to capitalise on Charlie Adam's deliveries. The best chance of the opening stages came on the 10-minute mark, Adam this time delivering from a free-kick 25 yards out to find Steven Naismith. The Rangers striker's flicked header went just wide of goalkeeper Peter Jehle's left-hand post. Seven minutes later though, Liechtenstein created an equally potent chance at the other end as Thomas Beck played a one-two with Michele Polverino then dribbled past several Scotland players before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box which forced Allan McGregor to parry over the bar. Naismith had the chance to break the deadlock seconds later when Aston Villa's Barry Bannan set him up just six yards in front of goal, but again his header was ineffectual, this time heading straight into Jehle's hands. Bannan then found himself in front of goal after a neat set-up from Naismith, his bending ball from the edge of the box going just wide of the post. Gary Caldwell Scotland now hope for a positive result in their final fixture against Spain.

The breakthrough came just minutes later though, when Liechtenstein conceded a free-kick 30 yards out which was quickly taken by Phil Bardsley, the Sunderland defender chipping over several Liechtenstein players to find Mackail-Smith, whose looping header sailed past Jehle and into the net for his first international goal. Three minutes from the break, with the Scots growing further in confidence, Naismith claimed to have been tripped by Martin Stocklasa as he broke in to the box but his pleas were ignored by referee Tom Harald Hagen of Norway. After the restart, Scotland were keen to extend their advantage with early chances for Mackail-Smith, full-back Alan Hutton and the influential Adam, whose class was evident at both ends of the pitch. With Liechtenstein's talismanic striker Mario Frick appearing short of match fitness, the side ranked 118th in the world struggled to make inroads, and Frick's lazy back-pass opened up a chance for James Morrison whose half-volley from the edge of the box went wide in the 55th minute.
Scotland continued to show invention as conditions worsened on an already greasy pitch in Vaduz with Christophe Berra also forcing a save from the Liechtenstein goalkeeper, Jehle turning his volleyed attempt from the edge of the box out to concede their sixth corner of the match. Hans-Peter Zaugg's side had few chances in the second half, but Nicolas Hasler was on target with his 69th-minute effort. Picked out by Beck, the Vaduz midfielder forced a second save of the match from McGregor with his low drive towards the right-hand post. With victory within sight, Bannan and Adam were replaced by James Forrest and Don Cowie for the final quarter of an hour. By then the pace had slowed, with late chances for Naismith and Berra in the closing stages - Scotland holding out for a crucial victory, but destined to face a stiffer test against world champions Spain on Tuesday, the same night that Czech Republic face Lithuania.

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Ritzberger, Kaufmann, Martin Stocklasa, Rechsteiner, Martin Buchel (Wolfgang Kieber 71), Hanselmann (Eberle 75),Nicolas Hasler, Polverino, Beck, Frick. Subs Not Used: Benjamin Buchel, Michael Stocklasa, Flatz, Niklas Kieber, Bicer.

Booked: Polverino, Martin Stocklasa, Beck.

Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Berra, Caldwell, Bardsley, Morrison, Adam (Cowie 76), Fletcher, Bannan (Forrest 73), Naismith, Mackail-Smith. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Goodwillie, Robson, Wallace, Whittaker.

Booked: Mackail-Smith.

Goals: Mackail-Smith 32.

Att: 5,636

Ref: Tom Harald Hagen (Norway)

Scotland miss out on Carling Nations Cup trophy
Sunday, 29 May 2011

Carling Nations Cup decider
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Scotland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Keane, 23

Scotland finished second in the inaugural Carling Nations Cup after a narrow defeat to hosts Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium tonight.Giovanni Trapattoni's men lifted the trophy thanks to a well-taken solo goal from Robbie Keane.The Spurs striker pounced in the 23rd minute, collecting the ball on the half-way line and racing through the Scotland defence before slotting a low shot past Allan McGregor.There were few clear-cut chances in an even first half.

Scotland's first opportunity came within seven minutes. Scott Brown went on a driving run-through the midfield and played in Charlie Adam, who fired just over. Shay Given had to look smart to tip a powerful long-range Phil Bardsley shot onto the bar.At the other end, Ireland's Stephen Hunt fired straight at McGregor, before Keane broke the deadlock.Scotland enjoyed more possession, and had the best of the chances, in the second half.But Ireland almost doubled their lead within the opening minutes. Hunt caught out the Scotland defence with a quick free-kick to Simon Cox, but his low shot just flashed wide.

After a quiet night by his usual standards, Charlie Adam made way for Barry Bannan, and the creative midfielder was involved straight away, picking out Steven Naismith in the right wing. His cross into the box was just too far in front of James Forrest.Craig Levein brought on Chris Maguire and Ross McCormack as Scotland chased the equaliser.
Kenny Miller was booked for his protests after a penalty claim was waved away when he tumbled in the box under pressure.Maguire found Naismith with a cross into the box, but he mistimed his shot and sent the ball high and wide.Miller had two decent chances as the clock counted down. The Bursaspor striker showed great strength to collect the ball in the box under pressure. He managed to flick the ball round Given, but the ball flashed across the face of goal. He then beat the offside trap to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, but it went just wide. Scotland had one last opportunity in the dying seconds, winning a free-kick after a Stephen Ward hand ball, but Bannan fired the ball straight at Given.

Scotland:

McGregor (GK), Whittaker, Bardsley, Berra, Hanley, Robson (Maguire 75), Forrest (McCormack 85), Brown, Miller (Cpt), Adam (Bannan 62), Naismith.

Unused subs: Gilks (GK), McArthur, G Caldwell, Wilson, Martin, Turner (GK).

Carling Nations Cup: Wales 1-3 Scotland
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Carling Nations Cup
Wales 1-3 Scotland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Earnshaw 36; Morrison 55, Miller 64, Berra 70
Scotland set up a winner-takes-all clash with hosts Republic of Ireland on Sunday, after what turned out to be a comfortable win over Wales tonight at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Second half goals from James Morrison, Kenny Miller and Christophe Berra sealed the win for Scotland, despite Wales captain Robert Earnshaw opening the scoring for Wales.

Scotland created the best of the chances in a quiet first half, but found themselves one down at the break as Earnshaw took advantage of a moment of hesitation from Stephen Crainey on the wing.

The Blackpool defender and Scott Brown then tangled as they tried to track back, leaving Earnshaw free to lift the ball over Allan McGregor in the Scotland goal.

Neither side managed to dominate in the first half, although Scotland looked lively going forward, with Morrison, Steven Naismith and Ross McCormack providing support to Miller up front.

Morrison had an early chance when he got on the end of a Miller knockdown in the box, but his shot was just wide.

A few minutes later the West Brom midfielder threaded the ball through to Miller, but the offside flag was raised.

There was quarter of an hour gone when Scotland first worked Boaz Myhill, with Naismith firing straight at the Wales goalkeeper.

Wales enjoyed a period of possession midway through the half, with Earnshaw, Jermaine Easter and Sam Vokes all having shots on goal.

Scotland continued to press for the opener. Morrison sent another effort wide before Steven Whittaker showed great energy to chase a ball down to the byline, but his tantalising cross was just missed by Miller as he slid into the box.

Wales were ahead just after the half hour as Earnshaw skipped past Crainey and coolly lifted the ball over McGregor.

McCormack almost levelled straight away, turning to create space in the box, but fired straight at Myhill.

Scotland looked full of purpose in the second half, and drew themselves level within 10 minutes of the restart.

Morrison, celebrating his 25th birthday today, got on the end of a Charlie Adam pass from deep in midfield, which he controlled and coolly slotted into the net.

Miller almost made it two immediately as Scotland began turning the screw, but his angled shot was just wide.

Ross McCormack could have scored in some style when he got on the end of a Naismith knock-down, but his acrobatic shot flew over the bar.

Miller was rewarded for his efforts with the second goal. Morrison fed an inch-perfect pass across the face of goal to the Bursaspor striker, who stroked the ball into the net.

Wolves defender Berra sealed the win, and grabbed his first Scotland goal, with 20 minutes to go when he headed in from close range.

Defenders Russell Martin and Grant Hanley both picked up their first caps as Craig Levein made a raft of late changes.
Scotland:
McGregor (GK), Whittaker (Bardsley 81), Crainey (Martin 81), Berra, Caldwell (Hanley 84), Morrison (Robson 73), McCormack (Bannan 73), Brown, Miller (Cpt), Adam (McArthur 88), Naismith.
Unused Subs: Gilks (GK), D Wilson, Forrest, Maguire, Turner (GK)

Brazilian Sambas v Adidas Sambas
Tuesday, 15 February 2011

The Scottish FA announced that the Scotland National Team will play Brazil at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday, March 27, with kick-off at 2pm.

The International Challenge Match will round-off a five-day training camp in Spain’s La Manga resort and, pending completion of final contract details, will give the Scotland supporters the chance to return to London for the first time since the 1-0 victory against England at Wembley in the Euro 2000 qualification play-off in 1999.

Scotland last played Brazil in the curtain-raiser to World Cup France 98 and Craig Levein, the National Team Coach, said: “This game will not only capture the imagination of the Scotland support but also the squad, who will relish the prospect of testing their skills against one of the finest international teams in world football.

“I believe the recent performances – and not simply the results – against the Faroe Islands and Northern Ireland have given the whole country a lot of encouragement for the second half of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign and beyond.

“The players have a confidence in the way forward and while I believe the most important aspect of the forthcoming international break is to further cultivate a Club Scotland culture within the squad, the opportunity to play Brazil was irresistible.”

Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said: “Today’s announcement will help continue the feelgood factor generated by the outstanding performance against Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup. I am very excited about the future of the national team and I am sure Craig and his young and talented Scotland team will make the most of this experience.

Three and easy for Scotland
Miller, McArthur & Commons on the mark for Scots

Scotland proved too strong for Northern Ireland with a 3-0 win in their opening Carling Nations Cup clash in Dublin.
Kenny Miller celebrated being handed the Scotland captaincy with the opening goal after 19 minutes from close-range.
James McArthur, who was a late replacement for the injured Scott Brown, added a second on 32 minutes with a goal that appeared to be a cross from the right-corner of the edge of the box.

Scotland continued to call the tune in the second half and it was no surprise when they added a third six minutes after the break when Kris Commons netted after good interplay between James Morrison and Steven Naismith.
This comprehensive defeat must have been a demoralising experience for manager Nigel Worthington, who was working with more meagre than usual resources given the 10 call-offs from his original squad including one late withdrawal, George McCartney, who had apparently quit international football.
Craig Levein was also forced to change his plans when Brown had to be replaced by Wigan midfielder McArthur.
The Celtic skipper's enforced withdrawal resonated all the more given that his club manager Neil Lennon, with one eye on a heavy domestic workload, had questioned the timing of the fixture earlier in the week.
However, that is an issue for another day. This was a night of positivity for the Scots.
After the Tartan Army had booed their opponents' national anthem, it was Northern Ireland who started the game in purposeful mode.
In the 10th minute Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor had to deal with a low drive from Niall McGinn, who had been put through by fellow Celtic team-mate Paddy McCourt.
Four minutes later, however, the Scots should have been ahead. Celtic wide man Commons forced his way into the Irish box before cutting the ball back to Miller - who had taken over the captaincy from injured Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher - but he blasted over the bar from 12 yards.
Opener
However, in the 18th minute the former Rangers striker made up for that miss when he put the Scots ahead.
When Charlie Adam's corner came in from the left, Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey and skipper Stephen Craigan failed to deal with Phil Bardsley's near-post flick and Miller gratefully slammed the ball in from three yards.
Moments later, Adam ignored a missile directed at him from the crowd to swing a corner over from the other side and this time Scotland defender Steven Caldwell clipped the bar with a header.
As Levein's side warmed to the task, Commons took a pass from Bardsley to set himself up for a shot on goal but his close-range effort was blocked by Irish defender Gareth McAuley.
The second Scotland goal arrived in the 31st minute although there was some doubt over McArthur's intentions after he took a pass from right-back Alan Hutton just outside the box.
The former Hamilton midfielder appeared to be sending a cross over to the back post but he watched it sail over Tuffey's head and in under the bar.
The Inverness keeper then tipped a shot from Bardsley over the bar before the Sunderland defender crossed for Miller, who stretched to head over from eight yards.
Most of the action was in the Irish box and Tuffey saved a James Morrison header after Hutton had again galloped down the right before chipping the ball into the middle.
By means of retaliation McGinn had a shot deflected wide for a corner which came to nothing.
McGregor was called into action five minutes after the break when he had to dive down to his right to save from Rory Patterson, who had turned and shot from the edge of the box.
Celebrate
But a minute later the Scots fans celebrated the third when Commons slid the ball past Tuffey after Old Firm rival Steven Naismith had set him up.
Mark Wilson and Robert Snodgrass came on to make their Scotland debuts for Bardsley and Naismith, while Barry Bannan replaced Adam.
But the changes failed to disrupt the rhythm of the Scots and in the 62nd minute Snodgrass fired over from distance, as once again space became available at the edge of the Northern Ireland box.
Indeed, the Irish looked a sorry lot as Scotland attacks came in waves down both flanks and through the middle, and Wilson's deflected cross from the left almost caught Tuffey out at his near post.
Both sides wound down in the final stages as more substitutes were introduced, Chris Maguire making his Scotland debut as a replacement for Morrison, seconds before Tuffey tipped a curling Bannan free-kick over the bar.
In the 83rd minute Patterson should have scored a consolation for the Irish, but his close-range header lacked the power to beat McGregor and the game gradually petered out.

Scotland moved second in Euro 2012 qualifying Group I with a narrow win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith's looping header put Scotland ahead in the 32nd minute.

And with the European minnows unable to respond in a lacklustre second half, Craig Levein's side could still clinch a play-off place.

The win puts the Scots a point ahead of Czech Republic with each having one match remaining.

Playing in a 4-5-1 formation with Mackail-Smith as a lone striker, Scotland started aggressively, gaining three corners in the opening four minutes but failing to capitalise on Charlie Adam's deliveries.

Interview - Scotland coach Craig Levein

The best chance of the opening stages came on the 10-minute mark, Adam this time delivering from a free-kick 25 yards out to find Steven Naismith. The Rangers striker's flicked header went just wide of goalkeeper Peter Jehle's left-hand post.

Seven minutes later though, Liechtenstein created an equally potent chance at the other end as Thomas Beck played a one-two with Michele Polverino then dribbled past several Scotland players before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box which forced Allan McGregor to parry over the bar.

Naismith had the chance to break the deadlock seconds later when Aston Villa's Barry Bannan set him up just six yards in front of goal, but again his header was ineffectual, this time heading straight into Jehle's hands.

Bannan then found himself in front of goal after a neat set-up from Naismith, his bending ball from the edge of the box going just wide of the post.
Gary Caldwell Scotland now hope for a positive result in their final fixture against Spain.

The breakthrough came just minutes later though, when Liechtenstein conceded a free-kick 30 yards out which was quickly taken by Phil Bardsley, the Sunderland defender chipping over several Liechtenstein players to find Mackail-Smith, whose looping header sailed past Jehle and into the net for his first international goal.

Three minutes from the break, with the Scots growing further in confidence, Naismith claimed to have been tripped by Martin Stocklasa as he broke in to the box but his pleas were ignored by referee Tom Harald Hagen of Norway.

After the restart, Scotland were keen to extend their advantage with early chances for Mackail-Smith, full-back Alan Hutton and the influential Adam, whose class was evident at both ends of the pitch.

With Liechtenstein's talismanic striker Mario Frick appearing short of match fitness, the side ranked 118th in the world struggled to make inroads, and Frick's lazy back-pass opened up a chance for James Morrison whose half-volley from the edge of the box went wide in the 55th minute.

Scotland continued to show invention as conditions worsened on an already greasy pitch in Vaduz with Christophe Berra also forcing a save from the Liechtenstein goalkeeper, Jehle turning his volleyed attempt from the edge of the box out to concede their sixth corner of the match.

Interview - Scotland's Craig Mackail-Smith

Hans-Peter Zaugg's side had few chances in the second half, but Nicolas Hasler was on target with his 69th-minute effort. Picked out by Beck, the Vaduz midfielder forced a second save of the match from McGregor with his low drive towards the right-hand post.

With victory within sight, Bannan and Adam were replaced by James Forrest and Don Cowie for the final quarter of an hour.

By then the pace had slowed, with late chances for Naismith and Berra in the closing stages - Scotland holding out for a crucial victory, but destined to face a stiffer test against world champions Spain on Tuesday, the same night that Czech Republic face Lithuania.

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Ritzberger, Kaufmann, Martin Stocklasa, Rechsteiner, Martin Buchel (Wolfgang Kieber 71), Hanselmann (Eberle 75),Nicolas Hasler, Polverino, Beck, Frick. Subs Not Used: Benjamin Buchel, Michael Stocklasa, Flatz, Niklas Kieber, Bicer.

Booked: Polverino, Martin Stocklasa, Beck.

Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Berra, Caldwell, Bardsley, Morrison, Adam (Cowie 76), Fletcher, Bannan (Forrest 73), Naismith, Mackail-Smith. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Goodwillie, Robson, Wallace, Whittaker.

Booked: Mackail-Smith.

Goals: Mackail-Smith 32.

Att: 5,636

Ref: Tom Harald Hagen (Norway)