Friendly: Austria v Scotland

[LAF]

I was going to let DavidMc have first thread in here but he hasn't been on.

Anyway, I expect us to lose as we're never any good in friendlies. That and we've got alot of key players out.

I hope Adam gets a start as he's been the only of the plus points for Rangers last season.

Kick-offs at 7.30 tonight btw.

[DavidMc]

SCOTLAND SET TO ATTACK IN AUSTRIA
Wednesday, 30 May 2007

Scotland meet Austria in Vienna tonight with a much reduced squad due to call-offs, but still with a strong starting eleven that will give an indication of the team's prospects in next week's qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

Having arrived in Austria with just 18 players - including three goalkeepers - the options are limited for the national coach, but he seems likely to use the match to reintroduce Garry O'Connor to the team after the big striker's lengthy absence.

At the back, Allan McGregor is set to make his Scotland debut in goal, although he will be replaced at half time by Craig Gordon.

A strong midfield with Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher and Lee McCulloch will give the team considerable impetus, with an emphasis on attack if O'Connor partners Kris Boyd up front.

Alex McLeish was still positive about the players at his disposal despite the withdrawals and said: "We still have the nucleus of the team I have in mind to play against the Faroes and we will use that nucleus against Austria. We're not talking about experimenting because that can cause problems in that the lads haven't played with each other, but we do want to play as many people as possible.

"If we lose this game and win in the Faroe Islands I will be happy, but any game I have ever been involved in, I have wanted to win. The most important thing is the Faroes game: it's no formality to go there, as we know very well, but it's a game we have to win."

The match at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium kicks off at 8.30 pm local time, and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports 1, kick-off 7.30 pm.

With a potentail ''banana skin'' match coming up against the Faroe Islands, tonight is all about putting in a decent performance and fielding a few players to see what they can bring to the side. Hopefully we will be going into our next qualifier with a morale boosting win under our belt.

[alansmithy14]

scotland will win!! they are rly good right know and them and france will go through to Euro 2008

[DavidMc]

AUSTRIA 0 v SCOTLAND 1

Garry O'Connor celebrated his recall to the Scotland squad with the only goal of the game in a deserved win against Austria in the Gerhard Hanoppi Stadium.
The Lokomotiv Moscow striker converted a low shot in the 58th minute after the edgy home defence failed to close him down in the penalty area.

Scotland enjoyed plenty of possession, and Kris Boyd missed a brace of good first half chances.

Markus Katzer bulleted a late header against the crossbar for the hosts.

O'Connor was back in the fold for the Scots at the home of Rapid Vienna.

There was a full debut for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, as Alex McLeish examined his options ahead of next Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in the Faroe Islands.

Austria pushed forward straight away in a bid to stamp their authority on the friendly.

And there were early claims for a penalty when Christian Fuchs went to ground under pressure from Gary Caldwell but there appeared to be little in the challenge and play continued.

Andreas Ivanschitz, the Austria captain, then attempted a drive from the edge of the penalty area but the effort failed to trouble McGregor.

Scotland had a great chance to open the scoring, only for Boyd to mis-hit a six-yard volley wide, following an aggressive run and cross from Gary Naysmith on the left.

It was the home nation - who are co-hosting the Euro finals with Switzerland - who threatened when Standfest raced down the right flank before trying to float the ball onto the head of Roland Linz but McGregor was first to the ball.

McLeish's men were enjoying plenty of possession but lacked the crucial cutting edge as typified by Boyd when he missed another fantastic opportunity in the 39th minute.

Captain Barry Ferguson floated a pass towards O'Connor, and the Lokomotiv Moscow forward found Boyd, unmarked, in front of goal, but he could only offer a fresh-air swipe and the Austrians survived.

Although the tempo dipped, the Austrians' Mario Haas tried a shot at goal but McGregor did well to block, and it was no surprise that the first half remained scoreless.

McLeish, predictably rang the changes at the break, bringing on keeper Craig Gordon for McGregor, Christian Dailly - a late addition to the squad - for David Weir and Paul Hartley for Lee McCulloch.

Gordon was busy after the restart, as Josef Hickersberger's side drove forward.

The Hearts man was called into question, denying a speculative shot from the dangerous Sturm Graz forward Haas.

But the Scots settled, and they finally atoned for Boyd's earlier profligacy when O'Connor fired them ahead.

Hartley's high ball found Boyd with knocked the ball into the bustling strikers path in the box.

O'Connor displayed good composure to turn Jurgen Saumel at an angle from ten yards out and drill the ball past Austrian goalkeeper Helge Payer.

Rangers pair Charlie Adam and Alan Hutton came on, replacing Shaun Maloney and Graham Alexander to win their first caps.

Austria showed a degree of technical ability but failed to carry any weight up front.

Katzer crashed a header against Gordon's bar with seconds remaining from a corner but, despite the scare, it would have been an injustice given Scotland's showing.

The Scots finished off worthy winners in a display which should leave McLeish quietly confident for the remainder of the Euro 2008 schedule

[DavidMc]

Glad to see Gary O'Conner back in the national set-up, he has had a good season with Lokomotiv Moscow, he scored in the Cup Final last week to win the Russian Cup, but he has been tipped to return to the UK this summer, either back to the SPL or to the Premiership. He is a big, strong centre-forward who would be an asset to any British side.

He has picked up a lot of experience whilst playing in Russia.

[LAF]

It's encouraging that we created so many chances when you could tell the players weren't trying that hard.

Boyd missed two absolute sitters, which he does alot. I fancy him to score for the Faroes though.

O'Connor did well with his goal.

Quite shocked we won.

[DavidMc]

to be honest, i didnt think we would win either tonight. Boyd will score against the Faroes I think.

I really hope we can qualify for Euro 2008. Would be a fantastic achievement if Scotland managed to get there because we have by far the most difficult group with both Italy and France, and also Ukraine.

[LAF]

I was chatting to my mate about us qualifying. I really couldn't care how we got on in the tourney (we'd get knocked out group stages again). Just getting there would be the big achievement.

We should take it from there.

[DavidMc]

i agree, been so long since we made a major tournament, i know we are not a major International force, but Scotland should be regulars at the World Cup and Euro events. If we managed to get to Euro 2008, and put in a few good performances, then that would be a major achievement, especially when the draw was made for these qualifiers, no-one, including myself ever thought we would qualify.

[LAF]

Just gutting to know that in any other group we probably could have qualified.

If we don't qualify then that's fair enough, the players have already exceeded expectations.

Do you think we'll make the WC? Considering Weir, Pressley etc would have retired.

[DavidMc]

World Cup 2010?

I think we really have a bright future ahead of us, Scotland seem to be back producing good young Scottish talent, Gordon, Kennedy, Brown, Burke, Adam, if you look at most Scottish clubs, you will find a player who has potential, and also down in the English leagues.

It will all come down to how these players develop, and how the younger guys coming up from the U'19s etc develop aswell.

I think we could qualify, but there is a lot of work to be done, but I also think we are on the correct road to recovery. I feel a lot more proud about our National team than I did a few years ago.

[LAF]

Yeah 2010.

You forgot Fletcher aswell, it's hard to believe he's only 22/23 considering he's been playing for years.

No doubt the state of the football is better than it was a few years ago, then again that wasn't hard.

[alansmithy14]

i knew they would win scotland is gonna be a rly good team soon!!