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 20^th November 2002

PORTUGAL 2 SCOTLAND 0

Scotland's resurgence came to soggy end as they slipped to their first defeat in four in Portugal. Two early goals from Pauleta put paid to Berti Vogts' young side in a match that was almost washed out by the rain in Braga. Struggling in the early conditions against a home side out to impress boss-to-be Luis Felipe Scolari, Scotland were 2-0 adrift in 17 minutes and would have been washed right away had Rab Douglas not saved a penalty from Luis Figo.

Tiago crashed a header against the crossbar and Pauleta lashed a hat-trick half chance inches wide but to their eternal credit Scotland weathered the storm and crucially, avoided a repeat of the 5-0 drubbing by France that kicked off Vogts' reign. In fact Der Terrier will have been more than impressed by the battling qualities his side showed in the mud and puddles of an otherwise meaningless friendly, a back three with just 10 caps between them particularly impressive.

Although their evidently superior class and ability to cope better with the conditions meant Portugal always held the upper hand, Steven Pressley, Lee Wilkie and Graham Alexander defended diligently as the Scots often became bogged down in their own half. Ahead of them Paul Lambert cast off the absence of Old Firm cohort Barry Ferguson to let the likes of Rui Costa and Sergio Conceicao know they were up against a new, improved Scotland, while in attack, Scott Dobie made the impact his manager had demanded. Yet it was still not enough to stop Portugal in a stride that although severely hampered by the early conditions, was always slicker, and proved they are well on the way to curing the ills of a wretched World Cup finals. 

They took just eight minutes to open the scoring. Figo, collecting a delightful ball over  Maurice Ross and ploughing through the puddles, was blocked off but before Scotland could clear, Sergio Conceicao drilled the ball into the near post where Pauleta powered home a lightning volley

An identical pass over the top then caught Wilkie on the arm and gave Figo the chance to further force the floodgates open, but his kick was beaten out by a full-stretch Douglas, who guessed right to his right.

The Real Madrid man made instant amends with the instinctive ball to Pauleta, whose poor touch ricocheted back into his path of Ross allowing him to slip his 19th goal in 41 internationals under the advancing keeper.

The Scots then lost Russell Anderson with a head injury but responded to the reshuffle with Dobie almost embarrassing Meira into conceding a penalty with a powerful run and then drilling just wide after spinning infield from a break down the right. Alexander then saw Quim fumble his low drive without a forward in sight before Portugal could - and should - have put the game beyond doubt, Tiago heading a corner onto the bar and Pauleta's effort flashing wide with Douglas a spectator on both occasions. The Bordeaux striker was deprived a hat-trick by the rash of half-time replacements, but the familiar figure of Nuno Gomes came on in his stead, but saw a glancing header bobble wide after a fortuitous break of Rui Costa. That aside, Portugal were happy to play keep ball for the remainder of the game, Scotland still defending well and breaking occasionally, with Stevie Crawford growing as the game went on yet snatching at his solitary chance and slashing wide. A goal would have been perhaps more than the Scots would have hoped for after just 17 minutes, but not so long ago, a two-goal deficit against one of Europe's finest would have been way beyond their wildest dreams.

Portugal: Quim (Nelson 89), Rocha, Jorge (Ribeiro 58), Meira, Tiago (Assis 83), Couto, Figo (Marco Ferreira 46), Pauleta (Nuno Gomes 46), Sabrosa (Neca 78), Rui Costa (Mendes 58), Sergio Conceicao.
Subs Not Used: Ricardo Silva, Sergio.
Booked: Couto. 

Scotland: Douglas, Anderson (McInnes 24), Pressley, Wilkie (Severin 83), Graham Alexander, Lambert (Williams 68), Dailly, Naysmith, Ross (Devlin 46), Dobie (Kyle 78), Crawford.
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Davidson, Caldwell, Neil Alexander.
Booked: Wilkie. 

Att: 8,000
Ref: V Angehelinei (Romania)

 

15th October 2002

SCOTLAND 3 CANADA 1

Stevie Crawford scored twice as Scotland gave Berti Vogts two wins in a row in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Easter Road. Crawford's strike partner Stevie Thompson was also on target as Vogts celebrated a first win on Scottish soil against an enterprising, but lightweight Canadian side.

Scotland were shocked in the ninth minute when they went behind. Steven Pressley took far too long to clear inside his penalty area, Dwayne De Rosario spun with the ball and Russell Anderson tripped the Canadian striker. De Rosario slotted the spot kick with minimum fuss.

Vogts wanted an immediate response, and he got it. Scot Gemmill's excellent through ball gave Crawford a gilt-edged chance and he made no mistake with a smart left foot finish. Almost instantly Dunfermline's Crawford was through again but got over-excited and his lob went well wide.

Canada, with some neat touches, were causing problems. De Rosario ran through on goal but Anderson this time stopped him by fair means as he forced his opponent wide. Crawford and Thompson have been a breath of fresh air for Vogts this week, turning a glaring weakness into a positive. Thompson's neat change of feet slipped the Canadian defence but he could only shoot weakly from 30 yards.

Vogts is rebuilding Scotland and there are signs of a team in his own image, with giant defender Lee Wilkie looking calm and assured and the likes of Graham Alexander and new boy Paul Devlin giving the side a Vogts-like urgency in midfield. Preston's Alexander has taken over responsibility for free kicks and a fine effort on 25 minutes forced a decent save from Canadian keeper Lars Hirschfeld.

Christian Dailly, the only ever-present in the Vogts era, saw a header touched over the bar but there was a quick response as a Daniel Imhof dribble and cross gave De Rosario a clear chance, but he mis-kicked. Everton's Tomasz Radzinski, Canada's most famous player, was largely held in check but his excellent run down the left led to strong claims for a penalty. Radzinski's shot was well saved by Paul Gallacher but Julian de Guzman's rebound effort was blocked by Pressley's shoulder. However, the Belgian referee waved play on.

Thompson should have done much better with a free header just before the break but made up for his error by lashing a shot home from 12 yards after some shoddy Canadian defending. Again Canada struck back when De Rosario cut inside Anderson, Gallacher saved and Tam Nsaliwa shot way over the bar with the follow-up. Thompson again nodded over a glorious heading opportunity after Devlin threw in a pin-point cross but was a key figure in the goal which sealed the victory. The lanky hit man did brilliantly to get an outstretched leg to another Devlin centre and, after a goalmouth scramble, Crawford slotted home with his left foot. Now Crawford was chasing a hat-trick, a feat not achieved by a Scot in a full international for some 30 years, and could have done the trick with a late header.

Scotland: Gallacher, Dailly, Pressley, Wilkie (Murray 75), Anderson, Graham Alexander, Gemmill (Severin 66), Devlin, Ross (Davidson 45), Crawford (Kevin Kyle 89), Thompson (McFadden 81). 
Subs Not Used: Neil Alexander, Williams. 

Canada: Hirschfeld, McKenna, Hastings, Stalteri, Pozniak, Nsaliwa, Imhof (Xausa 85), Radzinski, De Rosario, Fenwick, de Guzman. 
Subs Not Used: Nash, Hutchinson, Onstad. 
Booked: Fenwick. 

Att: 16,207 
Ref: L Huyghe (Belgium). 

12th  October 2002

ICELAND 0 SCOTLAND 2

Christian Dailly and Gary Naysmith scored as Scotland beat Iceland 2-0 to reignite their bid to qualify to Euro 2004 and ease the pressure on under-fire boss Berti Vogts.

From France to the Faroe Islands, against South Africa and South Korea, Scotland had failed to win under Vogts, but the former Germany boss, who had said he would settle for a draw, finally recorded a victory in Reykjavik. Vogts remains under pressure but his first victory in six full internationals leaves his side still on course for second place in a group that, his native Germany apart, contains no team to fear and at least Scotland's first foreign coach knows he will not bow out without a win to his name. Whether the triumph over an uninspired Iceland side in a match of poor passing and little creativity marks a turning point for Vogts is a moot point; nonetheless, two goals, a first clean sheet and a performance of determination and spirit showed signs of progress for the German.

Vogts had decided to revert to the back three system favoured by his predecessor Craig Brown and Dailly and Hearts stopper Steven Pressley Impressed as Iceland caused few problems. In a much more assured performance after the nightmare in Toftir, Naysmith and Maurice Ross impressed at wing back while Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson were predictably strong in the centre of midfield.

Dailly, like David Weir, had been singled out for criticism by Vogts after the humiliation in the Faroe Islands but the West Ham man did not make himself unavailable for selection and responded by heading home his third international goal to give the Scots a great start - and that total makes him the most prolific player in Vogts' squad.

Ironically, from two teams short on top-flight pedigree, it was an error from a player in this year's Champions League which gifted the Scots their crucial goal. Rosenberg keeper Ari Arason's ill-advised attempt to claim Naysmith's cross left the Icelander stranded as Dailly rose highest to meet the Everton wing-back's delivery.

And Iceland's weakness from set-pieces almost cost them a second goal when Jackie McNamara produced the best cross of the game and Pressley headed just over the bar but the home side, ranked nine places higher in the world rankings, were within inches of an equaliser when Eidur Gudjohnsen turned to fire a shot against Rab Douglas' bar. The Chelsea striker was very much a lone threat, with only Haukar Gudnason, Ivar Ingimarsson and the captain Runar Kristinsson looking remotely likely to offer their star player quality support, and Gudjohnsen dropped deeper and deeper to gain possession. Nonetheless, he had a second chance in Iceland's best spell of the game, blasting over from Gudnason's pull back while Liverpool youngster Gudnason himself fired an effort from an acute angle which Douglas got a hand on.

Vogts had turned to SPL duo Steven Thompson and Steve Crawford in attack and their relentless running gave the Scots valuable outlets with Dundee United's Thompson proving himself a superior target man to Sunderland youngster Kevin Kyle. Crawford had a hat-trick of chances to score a second international goal but could only find the target with the first, a tame header from McNamara's cross. The Dunfermline man also met his strike partner's flick-on only to fire wide from 18 yards and headed a Ross cross wide.

Thompson also had a penalty appeal turned down when Arnar Vidarsson appeared to tug him down, but the one worry for Vogts from his strikers' showing was that neither really looked like scoring. Naysmith showed them how to finish, however, with his first goal for his country, firing in a half-volley on the turn from 20 yards after another cross from Ross.

An Iceland fightback rarely looked likely but any chance of a second island nation embarrassing Vogts within five weeks ended when Larus Sigurdsson comically shinned a clear-cut chance well wide with five minutes remaining.

So that elusive victory finally arrived and, for once, the laughs weren't at Vogts' expense.

Iceland: 1-Arni Gautur Arason; 2-Bjarni Porsteinsson, 3-Arnar Por Vidarsson (18-Marel Baldvinsson 66), 4-Brynjar Bjorn Gunnarsson, 5-Larus Orri Sigurdsson, 6-Runar Kristinsson, 7-Hermann Hreidarsson, 8-Ivar Ingimarsson, 9-Eidur Gudjohnsen, 10-Helgi Sigurdsson (16-Heidar Helguson 46), 11-Haukur Ingi Gudnason (17-Bjarni Gudjonsson 75)

Scotland: 1-Robert Douglas; 2-Maurice Ross, 3-Lee Wilkie, 4-Steven Pressley, 5-Christian Dailly, 6-Barry Ferguson, 7-Jackie McNamara (13-Callum Davidson 34), 8-Steve Crawford, (18-Scott Severin 89), 9-Steven Thompson, 10-Paul Lambert, 11-Gary Naysmith (15-Russell Anderson 90)

 

7th September 2002

FAROE ISLES 2 SCOTLAND 2

Scotland survived a torrid afternoon in Toftir to come back from 2-0 down to claim a point with second half goals from the Old Firm duo Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson. Scotland had conceded twice to John Petersen in the first twelve minutes when they looked nothing short of shambolic in defence and little better elsewhere on the pitch. Even two goals could, and should, not disguise a performance - against a side with one full-time professional - that was embarrassing at best and spectacularly inept at worst.

With five straight defeats in full internationals, and his only win a success over a Hong Kong League 11 the pressure was on Bert Vogts to finally produce a win, and the coach will be fully aware that it will take nothing short of a miracle to take his charges to Portugal in two years time.

Scotland were left stunned when the Faroes took the lead after six minutes when Petersen, who had easily escaped the attentions of Christian Dailly, headed home Jakub Borg`s right-wing cross at the near post beyond the despairing dive of Rab Douglas. The visitors looked shockingly disjointed and six minutes later they fell further behind, abetted by more amateurish defending.

Berg showed some neat skill to create space in the inside right channel before firing in an early cross and Petersen, racing in between Maurice Ross and David Weir, smacked a superb left-foot volley into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

The Scots strove to come back into it but, as behoves a side who have suffered a demoralising run of losses, there was precious little conviction about their efforts as the home closed down with conviction in the final third. It was 24 minutes before Scotland forced a corner against a side ranked 123rd in the world, and Kevin Kyle twice headed over, before Dailly's nerve failed him with only the keeper to beat. The best chance before the break fell to Johnston but it was only the side-netting that was bulging after his attempt from six yards.

Stevie Crawford came on for Paul Dickov at half-time and created a couple of half chances, but it was the Faroes who should have put the game out of sight before the hour. Borg then cut the ball back from the by-line and Petersen, in splendid isolation, spurned the chance of a hat-trick as he ballooned the ball over an open goal from 12 yards.

Stephen Crainey sent over a cross from the left, which was flicked on by Crawford, but Kyle's swinging left-foot volley bounced over the top. Moments later, Lambert's shot from Kyle's knock back was deflected off Weir and a defender into the bottom corner to spark renewed hope among the travelling support.

Julian Johnsson had another good opening for the Faroes, before Crawford and Dobie were foiled as Scotland, with the former leading by example, at last began to pick up the pace of the game. Weir was fortunate to escape with a yellow after a blatant body-check on Borg as the Faroese relieved the pressure, and with fifteen minutes remaining composure was again lacking as Johnston lashed over the top when he had time and space.

Crainey was unlucky with a curling free-kick but Scotland’s sieve-like defending was again exposed as defenders slipped and slithered only for substitute Jacobsen to side-foot wide from 10 yards.

With six minutes remaining, Ferguson latched on to knock down and flicked the ball past the on-rushing keeper to level the scores, but only two desperate clearances, and one fine stop from Douglas, prevented Flotum and then Elttor bagging a winner. In his newspaper column on Saturday morning, former international Alan McInally suggested that if Scotland did not win they should convert Hampden Park into a potato field.

Faroe Islands: Knudsen, Johannesen, Jens Kristian Hansen, Thorsteinsson, Jon Roi Jacobsen, Elttor (Lakjuni 89), Benjaminsen, Julian Johnsson, Borg, John Petersen (Flotum 80), Christian Hogni Jacobsen (Rogvi Jacobsen 75). 
Subs Not Used: Hans Frodi Hansen, Johannus Joensen, Mikkelsen. 
Booked: Borg, Knudsen.

Scotland: Douglas, Ross (Alexander 75), Crainey, Dailly, Weir, Dickov (Crawford 46), Ferguson, Lambert, Johnston, Kyle, Dobie (Thompson 84). 
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, McNaughton, Wilkie, Williams. 
Booked: Ross, Weir, Thompson. 

21st August 2002

SCOTLAND 0 DENMARK 1

Berti Vogts admitted that Scotland have "a lot to do" if they are to stand any chance of making the Euro 2004 finals. The German is still waiting for his first win since taking over from Craig Brown after seeing his side go down 1-0 to Denmark.

Scotland kick of their qualifying campaign against minnos Faroe Islands next month with a disappointed Vogts admitting he has his work cut out if he is to drag the Tartan Army back to the fore of world football.

He said: "The result is very disappointing, also the performance. We will have to work very, very hard on the pitch against the Faroes. We have a lot to do, especially in a tactical way. "We have to change. We have to create more pressure. The Danish team is a complete team that did so well in the World Cup apart from 45 minutes against E*****d."

Vogts also hinted that a tactical overhaul may be needed after their fifth defeat in a row, with the much-lauded midfield duo of Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson under scrutiny. 

The Scotland boss was critical of his side's approach play - they had just two shots on goal to Denmark's 15 - and believes the Old Firm pairing hold the key to his side's fortunes. He said: "They are the heart of the team. I have to talk to both of them. They need a little bit of time to get it right and we will have to look at what has happened on the training pitch.

"The training yesterday was brilliant but I saw today the difference. "From defending we have to change very quickly into attack. Tonight there was nothing. The Danish goalkeeper did not have to make any saves, which was very disappointing for me."

 

17^th April 2002

SCOTLAND 1 NIGERIA 2

Nigeria sent out a warning to World Cup opponents E*****d with a polished performance at Pittodrie.

Charismatic centre forward Julius Aghahowa scored both goals for the Super Eagles as new Scotland boss Berti Vogts slipped to a second straight defeat.

Nigeria, who also face Argentina and Sweden in the so-called group of death in Japan this summer, showed plenty of classy touches - lead by the imposing figure of Kanu.

Danger loomed whenever the Arsenal star's size 11 boots wrapped themselves around the ball, teasing an inexperienced Scottish side.

Vogts will be encouraged by an excellent debut from Aberdeen winger Kevin McNaughton, who proved a constant threat with his willingness to carry the ball and chase apparently lost causes.

McNaughton delighted his home crowd when he combined on six minutes with fellow debutant Robbie Stockdale to create a chance for Steven Thompson, but the Tannadice hit man spooned the ball wide.

Within a minute, though, Scotland had taken the lead when West Ham's Christian Dailly steered a Scott Gemmill corner into the left hand corner of the Nigerian net from 10 yards out.

The Scotland now entered a period of domination with the Nigerians clearly unsettled by the Scots' high-tempo style.

The first threat from the Africans came on 16 minutes when Jay-Jay Okocha's extravagant shot was comfortably snaffled by Celtic keeper Rob Douglas.

Scotland should have gone two-up when skipper Paul Lambert ws put clean through on goal but his shot from eight yards out was well blocked by Ejide.

Gradually Scotland began to lose control and became mesmeriosed under Kanu's spell as he glided across the Scottish area and unleashed a shot which Douglas saved smartly.

Eight minutes before the break Kanu was at it again, although this time he didn't know so much about it as Okocha's pacy free kick richocheted on to his head and the ball ballooned over the bar.

There was no question that the lanky striker knew exactly what he was up to on 41 minutes when he cushioned an Okocha cross and held the ball up in the Scottish penalty area, Stephen Crainey got in a tackle but only succeeded in guiding the ball to the lurking Aghahowa eight yards out, who coolly finished.

Aghahowa's celebrations are surely the most spectacular in world football and he didn't disappoint, launching into six head-over-heels and a somersault.

A dire end to the half could have been disastrous for Scotland but for Douglas who twice denied the now rampant Nigerians just before the break.

Scotland needed a boost and Neil McCann should have provided it early in the second period but Ejide saved well with his legs.

Manchester United younsgster Michael Stewart came on for his debut and made a good impression but he or his colleagues had no answer on 69 minutes when substitute Ikedia latched on to a raking pass from Utaka and Aghahowa met his cross with a superbly timed leap - some goal.

Scotland produced a late flurry, with Dailly and McCann going close, but a gulf in technique and sheer class was evident for all to see. Roll on the World Cup - Nigeria will be worth watching.

Scotland: Douglas, Stockdale (Alexander 45), Weir, Dailly, Crainey, McNaughton, Williams (Stewart 64), Lambert, Gemmill (Johnston 45), McCann (Gary Caldwell 79), Thompson (O'Connor 74).
Subs Not Used: Davidson, Crawford, Ross, Combe, Paul Gallacher.

Nigeria: Ejide, Sodje (Ifejiagwa 85), Yobo, Okoronkwo, Christopher (Adepoju 79), Okocha, Ejiofor, Utaka (Lkedia 54), Nwankwo Kanu, Aghahowa, Ogbeche.
Subs Not Used: Bankole, Eze, Kaku, Mancha, Akwuegbu, Ugali, Odemwingie, Ldaehor.

27^th March 2002

FRANCE 5 SCOTLAND 0

Berti Vogts' reign as Scotland's new manager began with a thumping defeat in Paris at the merciless hands of world and European champions France.

His new charges started the match by shipping goals at regular intervals to go in at the break four behind. That was how it stayed until substitute Steve Marlet netted near the end to give the German a painful introduction to his new job.

Of course, the gulf in class between the two nations was always likely to produce such a scoreline but the French had underlined their superiority with the quality as well as the quantity of those strikes.

Zinedine Zidane had supplied the first in only the 12th minute with a thumping drive that gave Neil Sullivan in the Scotland goal little chance.

The opportunity had arisen because of imprecision in the Scots' defence however, first through Colin Cameron finding only Patrick Vieira with an attempted clearance and then skipper Paul Lambert failing to cut out the Arsenal man's supply ball to Zidane on the edge of the area.

There was an element of bad fortune about David Trezeguet's second in the 23rd minute as David Weir had done well to challenge Zidane on the edge of the box.

But the ball bounced off Bixente Lizerazu, who had been arriving at the scene at speed and he was then able to continue unimpeded down the left to supply a cross on to the head of the Juventus striker.

The third also saw Lambert play the fall guy as he lost his footing at the crucial moment that Sylvain Wiltord crossed from the right. The ball continued on its way to Thierry Henry on the edge of the area and he lashed it ferociously past Sullivan.

The fourth was a quality finish to an excellent move and once again Trezeguet was the man on the scoresheet. Vieira was both architect and engine driver, trading passes with colleagues to move upfield at a pace that his trackers could not match.

His cross found Trezeguet in front of his marker and a good first touch was followed by a top-drawer steering of the ball past the goalkeeper.

Scotland had been handed a masterclass in finishing yet the Vogts era had almost begun with a slice of good fortune.

Fabien Barthez had little to do all evening but the game was still in its first minute when he almost added an international disaster to his collection of Old Trafford clangers.

Franck Leboeuf sent a routine pass back but the ball bobbled just as Barthez was about to hoof clear and the goalkeeper was the most relieved man on the pitch when he saw it bounce past his far post.

The Scots had only a wide Stephen Crawford shot plus a wayward Lambert free-kick to show for their first-half efforts.

Both sides made changes at the break, with Scot Gemmill and Gary Holt coming on for Cameron and Dougie Freedman and Marcel Desailly and Vieira replaced by Mikael Silvestre and Claude Makelele.

Leboeuf almost added a fifth not long after the restart but headed a Zidane cross over the bar. Vogts had handed starting debuts to two of his young conscripts, Stephen Crainey at left-back and Gary Caldwell in the heart of the defence and both did well.

A third appeared in the shape of Dundee United striker Steven Thompson, who replaced Crawford in the 65th minute, but he hardly saw any of the ball.

The French had taken the foot off the pedal by this stage, although Zidane was continuing to delight with his supreme skills both on the run and in the pass. He supplied a free-kick from the left that just evaded Marlet at the near post and Silvestre at the far.

Holt's contribution was a short-lived one as he was replaced by Jackie McNamara with a quarter of an hour left. Zidane was replaced by Bolton's Youri Djorkaeff, who proceeded to blaze a good chance over the bar.

Marlet's clincher near the end was well taken however, a powerful drive from outside the area after fellow replacement Eric Carriere had played the ball back to him after Caldwell had halted his own run into the box.

The second half had been a damage limitation exercise for the Scots and that was at least achieved, even it led to a dearth of activity at the French end.

France: 16-Fabien Barthez; 2-Vincent Candela, 18-Frank Leboeuf, 8-Marcel Desailly, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 4-Patrick Vieira, 17-Emmanuel Petit, 10-Zinedine Zidane, 11-Sylvain Wiltord, 12-Thierry Henry, 20-David Trezeguet

Scotland: 1-Neil Sullivan, 2-David Weir, 4-Paul Lambert, 8-Dominic Matteo, 3-Stephen Crainey, 5-Christian Dailly, 6-Gary Caldwell, 10-Colin Cameron, 7-Dougie Freedman, 9- Stephen Crawford, 11-Neil McCann

Referee: Jacek Granat (Poland)

 

14th February 2002

SCOTLAND CONFIRM NEW HEAD COACH

The SFA can today confirm that Berti Vogts has been appointed as Scotland manager, with effect from 1 March.

David Taylor, SFA Chief Executive, and John McBeth, Vice President, are currently in Kuwait, where they have been negotiating with the President of the Kuwait FA. Meetings took place yesterday and again today.

After reaching agreement today for Berti Vogts' contract with Kuwait to be terminated on 28 February, David Taylor said: "I am delighted that our negotiations to secure Berti Vogts for Scotland have gone so well and that we have reached the end of a long road. I would also like to thank the Kuwait FA for their help and co-operation.

"Berti will begin work with us on 1 March, which means he will be able to prepare fully for Scotland's match against France on 27 March, but before then he will join us for the important Euro 2004 dates planning meeting in Frankfurt next week."

David Taylor and John McBeth will now return to Scotland with Berti Vogts, and they plan to meet the Scottish media at a press conference at Hampden Park on Friday morning.

You can still purchase the Lochlann Albannaich tee shirts by contacting Simmy at the following address [email protected]

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(c) 2002  Lochlann Albannaich

last updated November 2002 - webmaster MacMirza