shannon2007

Ray Marr had some through the youth ranks at Kilmarnock and despite still only being twenty one, he had been impressive in his spell at Arsenal and MacLeod had no hesitation in naming the youngster as his number once choice. He has one cap to his name before this qualifying gets underway, gained in a 3-2 loss in Iceland last year. Craig Gordon, now 29 and plying his trade at Lazio offers a substantial back up having won 42 caps to date, whilst Blackburn's 21 year old Paul Lee is third choice. Lee is a decent prospect but it yet to gain his first full cap.

Alan Hutton, who for some inexplicable reason has found himself in the international wilderness recently, is returned to the fold. The 27 year old Charlton right back has only six full caps to his name, but is certain to be MacLeod's first choice. Blackburn teenager Marc Lennon, still only nineteen years of age, is the back up. Lennon has not been capped yet at full level but he looks a sure bet for the future.

Mark Brunton is another of the Kilmarnock youth products who followed MacLeod to Arsenal. An extremely accomplished left back, Brunton already has ten full caps to his name, even though he is still only 20 years old. Wigan's Steven Smith, who at 27 is still looking for his first Scotland cap is clearly a player MacLeod rates as he will be back up left back.

The central defense will comprise of nineteen year old Ross Creelie of Wigan and twenty year old Charlton player Graeme MacKay who also played under MacLeod at Kilmarnock. Creelie is so far uncapped, whilst MacKay has played just the once for his country. Scott Cuthbert was another who played for a short time under MacLeod at Kilmarnock. The 25 year old former Celtic player now plays for Leicester and has six full caps to his name. Twenty three year old Arsenal player Alex Pearce and also 23 year old Chris Smith who plays for Reading, make up the rest of the defence.

Steven Naismith now 25 and having won twenty eight full caps, will occupy the right wing role. Naismith of course left Kilmarnock upon MacLeod's arrival as he went to Rangers, but later was brought back to Rugby Park by the now Scotland boss and followed MacLeod to Arsenal where he was mainly a fringe player. Chris Burke now 28 and playing for Kilmarnock, plays back up to Naismith.

Shaun Maloney will play on the left wing, having spent most of his time at Arsenal on the right. With 26 caps, the twenty nine year old is highly experienced and still has lots to offer. Another 29 year old, Brighton's James McFadden, holder of 46 Scotland caps provides back up, whilst 20 year old Wigan winger Andrew Campbell is also in the squad.

Arsenal's Kevin Thomson, now 27 and Darren Fletcher now 28 and playing with Manchester City should form a decent central midfield partnership. Thomson, who was on the fringes at Arsenal by the end of MacLeod's time there, has ten caps whilst Fletcher will gain his 50th in the opening qualifier. West Ham club mates Gavin MacRae, who is 20 and Stuart Millar 19, provide the back up. They are both promising players.

Derek Meechan will be his father in laws main man up front as the Arsenal striker attempts to add to his 8 Scotland caps and nine goals. Celtic's highly promising 20 year old striker Rab Sinclair is likely to partner Meechan and will gain his first full cap in doing so. Birmingham's Garry O'Connor, now 29, adds a bit of experience to the striking pool, whilst 23 year old David Goodwillie who plays in Belgium with Cercle Brugge and 24 year old Burnley forward David Gormley complete an overall young, but highly exciting looking squad.

shannon2007

The visit of Liechtenstein was hardly the most highly anticipated match in Scottish footballing history, yet the fans were eager to see what the new manager could do. With two U-21 and and U-19 Championships in recent times, it appeared that Scotland were not showing their full potential at full international level. Surely Duncan MacLeod, who had been a hero as a player and clearly had the Midas touch as a manager, would change all that.

No-one really expect Liechtenstein to cause MacLeod's side many problems and indeed they failed to cause any. The match was only two minutes old when Ross Creelie headed home from a corner, and three minutes later Rab Sinclair added a second. There would be no shocks here and when Derek Meechan added a third on just eight minutes the Tartan Army prepared for a goal feast. Kevin Tnomson added a fourth on 11, three minutes later Sinclair bagged his second and Liechtenstein were begining to wish they hadn't bothered turning up. Darren Fletcher got in on the act on the 19th minute, and then Graeme MacKay added a 7th for Scotland - only 22 minutes had passed.

The Tartan Army were in full voice by now, lapping up this incredible goal feast and demanding their heroes deliver them ten goals before half time - which they duly did. Kevin Thomson added the 8th on the half hour, Rab Sinclair completed his hattrick seven minutes later and Steven Naismith made it ten right on the half time whistle. It was an incredible first half performance from the Scots, even if the standard of opposition was very poor. Rab Sinclair made it eleven nil a minute after the break and the Scots just toyed around and the amazing thing was that there was no further scoring.

The trip to Andorra then was made in high spirits, and although another double figure result was not really expected, nevertheless a commanding was. Rab Sinclair, who was really making his mark, opened the scoring on just four minutes but come half time that remained the only goal and this was simply not acceptable. Three minutes after the break Julio Fermin Cortada put the ball into his own net and then two late goals from Derek Meechan sealed an comfortable Scotland win. They would never have an easier back to back set of matches, that was for sure.

In October things would get a lot harder. Macedonia came to Hampden and then the Scots would be off to Croatia. Against Macedonia, the opening goal was slightly longer in coming, Derek Meechan the scorer after nineteen minutes. Rab Sinclair added a second on 27, and just after the hour Steven Naismith sealed and important win. The match in Croatia would MacLeod's toughest test to date with the National side, and so it proved as a solitary goal from Srdjan Lakic gave Croatia a win in a match that Scotland certainly deserved at least a draw in.

The final match of 2012 for Scotland saw unbeaten Norway come to Hampden and a win was a must. First half goals from Meechan and MacKay settled any nerves the Scots might have had, Meechan added a third on 53 minutes and in the third minute of injury time, Ross Creelie headed home the fourth and another good win was recorded. The first round of matches would not be complete until March, when Scotland would have a huge test of their potential against a Portugal side who were top of the group with five wins from five. Scotland were of course three points adrift, and a loss in Portugal might well be fatal.

shannon2007

The biggest test yet for MacLeod's fledgling Scotland side would come in Aveiro on the 23rd March. Whilst a loss away to the Portuguese would by no means end Scottish interest in the World Cup of 2014, it would certainly make things a whole lot tougher. There would be a lot more points to be won and lost for sure, but going six points adrift would be a deep psychological blow. The players knew this, and were well up for the match and just six minutes in Derek Meechan stunned the Portuguese crowd as he sent Scotland into the lead. The match never really exploded into the occasion that had been expected, but in the end that Meechan goal was enough to give Scotland a superb away win that puts them in pole position to qualify.

From Portugal the Scots travelled to Liechtenstein four days later. Little resistance was expected here, and little was given. Meechan fired in a hattrick, Sinclair, Brunton and Graeme MacKay were all on target and sometimes you have wonder what the point is in these smaller teams taking part in this competition. Two home matches for Scotland at the end of the 2012-2013 would see first Croatia and then Andorra come to Hampden. Nothing less than six points would do if the Scots dream was to stay on course.

Croatia had ground out a 1-0 home win over the Scots, but this time their luck was about to run out. It took only seventeen minutes for Meechan to send Scotland ahead, and two minutes from half time Darren Fletcher grabbed a valuable second. Seven minutes after half time Rab Sinclair made the match secure bit Scotland were not finished exacting revenge yet as Mark Brunton added a fourth just after the hour. Croatia were dead and buried, but twenty minutes from time Damir Ereiz gave them a minor consolation, before Darijo Srna put the ball into his own net, and Luka Modric was shown a second yellow card in the dying seconds.

Andorra should have been straightforward and the Tartan Army were out in force for an expected goal glut, but come half time a 20th minute strike from Meechan was all the Scots had to show as the visitors battled valiantly. With an hour gone, the match remained at 1-0 and the fans were getting restless before substitute Paul Roberts grabbed a debut goal, then Meechan added a third and slowly the Andorran's were crumling. Andrew Campbell added a fourth six minutes from the end and two minutes later Roberts completed the rout. It had been a barve performance from Andorra but in the end Scotland had proven just too good.

Away matches with Macedonia and Norway lay in store, before the final group match with Portugal, who sat three points adrift of Scotland with a match less played. The path to the 2014 World Cup Finals in Spain was still far from clear, but the Scots had to be confident that they could reach their first finals of the 21st century.

shannon2007

There was a real sense of anticipation and Scotland headed to Macedonia. The World Cup was withing touching distance for the first time in twenty years, and the Scots were looking too good now to blow it. Come half time, a brace from Meechan and another strike from the highly impressive Sinclair saw MacLeod's side head in with a three goal lead and the Tartan Army were really starting to believe that something special was in the air. Forty five minutes later that belief was ever so slightly dented as Macedonia had incredibly fought back to gain a draw and so very nearly ended up with a win.

Duncan MacLeod was furious after that capitulation, and he had even more reason to angry after Scotland went in 1-0 up at the break in Norway - only for that match too to end in a draw. Suddenly the whole Scots campaign was up in the air as Portugal led the group by a point going into the final match. Scotland would have to win at Hampden, but that was by no means a guarantee.

It was win or play offs for Scotland, and so even if they failed there was always the back door way in. Yet such had been the way Scotland started this group it would seem almost like a failure to throw it away now. The atmosphere was tense as Portugal arrived in Glasgow, and after an exciting first half Rab Sinclair set Hampden Park alight five minutes from the break. Ten minutes into the second half, a huge setback for Scotland as Alan Hutton picked up a second yellow card and it was back to the walls stuff now.

Portugal threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Scots defence but they held firm and the referee brought the final match of Group 1 to an end, Scotland were finally back in the Finals of the World Cup - which was exactly where they belonged. Once again, the Tartan Army would be marching with a MacLeod's army and hopefully this time, the outcome would be much more positive!

shannon2007

Scotland had not qualified for the Finals of the FIFA World Cup since 1998, and had not reached the Finals of the UEFA European Championships since 1996. These were startling facts for a nation that was utterly obssessed with the game of football. Yet that in itself did not really tell the whole story of Scottish international football in the last two decades or so.

Whilst it is true that the 2010 Qualifying tournament for the Scots was an unmitigated disaster - finish 4th in their six team group behind Slovenia, Denmark and Holland, there were also a lot of positives surrounding Scottish football. Duncan MacLeod had, of course, guided Kilmarnock to a UEFA Champions League win in recent seasons, whilst the U-21 and U-19 Scotland sides had lifted their own continental titles and it was really felt that all Scotland had lacked was someone to pull the whole thing together and deliver the goods that the undoubted talent demanded.

Reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals has been a dream come true for nation starved of any real success at international top level for nearly twenty years. There was therefore, much excitement when the FIFA bods gathered for the draw for those finals and Scotland were pulled out that against three teams who were no strangers to them on these occasions.

Uruguay were of course the team famously branded butchers after their shocking display against Scotland in the 1986 World Cup Finals - an occasion that had of course been Duncan MacLeod's first ever appearance at this event. That tournament of course was famous, not just for the emergence of the Scottish striking sensation but also for the fact that Scotland bounced all the way to the Semi-Final before bowing out to an extremely talented French side.

Denmark, by coincidence, had also been Scotland's group opponents in 1986 a young MacLeod coming off the bench to make his World Cup Finals debut - and bagging the crucial equalizer with just two minutes left to play. The Danes had reached these Finals by ending second behind Ireland in their group - and in the process eliminating the Germans.

The final team in the group would be Morocco - another side with a link that great Scots side of 1986. Scotland, thanks to a Duncan MacLeod hattrick, had seen off the North African nation by three goals to two in a quite fascinating last sixteen match. They were bound to be tough opponents again, and indeed this was not going to be an easy groups for the Scots on their return to the big time.

On the other hand, it was hardly going to be the toughest of groups either.

retired_brianrt

For some unknown reason, I've just come across this story. PM, this is brilliant. God knows how I missed it but I certainly shall be keeping my eye out now. Excellent stuff

shannon2007

The Scotland squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals largely picked itself, but there were still one or two surprises in MacLeod's final 23 man selection.

Ray Marr, at 23 years old, is now the definate number one in a Scotland jersey. Still at Arsenal, where he remains also first choice, Marr has fourteen caps to his name and is likely to go on and gain many, many more. Craig Gordon, who is still at Lazio and has 41 caps to his name, is still young by goalkeeping standards at 31 years of age but has been pushed down the pecking order by the young upstart Marr. Blackburn keeper Paul Lee is also 23 and has been playing very well for his club recently. Lee is still looking for his first full cap, but only disaster would seem him usurp the top two choices and he is really only along for the ride. Hopefully.

Alan Hutton (29) is still first choice at right back after winning back his place under MacLeod. His mere eighteen caps seems utterly ludicrous for such a talented player but all that will be forgotten by Hutton now that he has made it to these Finals. Hutton, who played in all twelve qualifying matches, will actually miss the opening match with Uruguay after being red carded in the Portugal game. That though opens up the way for 21 year old Blackburn right back Marc Lennon to make his international debut, and what a place to do it.

Mark Brunton (22) has moved to Roma from Arsenal and has equipped himself very well in the world toughest league. Brunton is close to being a world class full back, and will surely add a lot more to his current total of 23 caps. Back up Stevie Smith travels to Spain with still no full international caps and at 28 years old, this might even be his last chance to make an impact for his country.

Twenty one year old Ross Creelie, who has been on loan at Dunfermline from Wigan has formed an excellent partnership in the central of the Scottish defence with Charlton's Graeme MacKay, who is now twenty three years old. Both excellent defenders, Creelie and MacKay also pose a threat at set pieces. Alex Pearce (25) has moved to Rangers from Arsenal, whilst 27 year old Wigan centre back Mark Reynolds is one of the surprise inclusions in MacLeod's squad. Reyolds is uncapped, but does have the advantage of being left footed.

On the wings, experience abounds. Steven Naismith is still at Arsenal and at 27 yeard of age now had 36 full caps to his name. Shaun Maloney, also still at Arsenal, is at 31 years old one of the elder statesmen of the squad and has 39 full caps. Thirty year old Chris Burke remains at Kilmarnock and another 31 year old James McFadden of Brighton completes the wide men. McFadden now has 50 caps to his name and could well be a key figure in Spain, although MacLeod does tend to use his genius sparingly.

In the middle of the park, 30 year old Manchester City player Darren Fletcher is the most capped player in the current squad having played sixty two times for his country. Neil Murray (21) of Premiership Colchester, played in half of the qualifying matches and looks set to start the tournament beside Fletcher. Former Celtic and Kilmarnock player Charlie Grant, now 27, gets a chance to add to his meagre total of four caps after an excellent season at QPR whilst 23 year old Scott Morrice, who came through the ranks at Kilmarnock under MacLeod and is now at Brighton, gets his chance at full level for the first time.


The front two pick themselves. Twenty three year old Derek Meechan of Arsenal, has found the net 26 times in 21 full appearances for his country whilst strike partner Rab Sinclair (22) of Celtic has burst onto the international scene in this qualifying campaign having now bagged eleven goals in thirteen full team starts. Chelsea's Paul Roberts (21) has been on loan at Celtic this season, and is a good player in his own right, whilst twenty year old Rangers striker Andy Lindsay has earned a call up after showing some great scoring prowess whilst on loan to Bradford.


It is a squad which is a blend of youth and experience and certainly not lacking in skill. If MacLeod can give them the belief in themselves, this team can at the very least progress to the knock out stages - and after that, it's anyone's guess. The nation expects, and after twenty years, the expectation is sky high. If the players can muster even half the enthusiasm of a nation who have been denied the opportunity to see their team play in the premier footballing event on the planet, then Scotland will be a side everyone else will have to fear.

shannon2007

Thanks Sherm. It's kinda died on its arse a bit, going to Arsenal was perhaps not quite the right move but I will finish the football career side of from MacLeod's PoV then after that we'll see what happens.

shannon2007

Uruguay were the first for MacLeod's side. Scotland had soared to 10th in the World Rankings, whilst the South American's were 25th. Despite that meteoric rise, and the sheer class of some of the recent results the Scots had gained, they were still given odds of 40-1 to win this World Cup. The bookies though are rarely wrong, and whilst the whole of Scotland felt their team would be able to negotiate the groups, and possibly even a couple of knock-out round, talk of actually winning the tournament still seemed a tad ludicrous. That though didn't stop a lot of people who should have known better, from placing huge amounts of money on Scotland.

The Scotland starting eleven provided no real surprises, with only Marc Lennon in for the suspended Alan Hutton and to the line up would be:

Marr; Lennon, Creelie, MacKay, Brunton; Naismith, Murray, Fletcher, Maloney; Meechan, Sinclair

Uruguay almost caught the Scotland defence cold in the opening seconds as Albin sent an effort on goal that clipped the crossbar. It was an early fright and it seemed to work as just a minute later Lennon sent Maloney free down the left and his cross was bulleted into the net by the head of Rab Sinclair and the Tartan Army exploded into a mass of joyous noise. After a passage of tentative play that followed, Derek Meechan should have sent the Scots two up but his effort was poor. Seconds later, Naismith jinked past Uruguay defender Diego Carbone and delivered the perfect cross for Sinclair to head his second.

The Tartan Army thought they had died and gone to heaven, but Uruguay were far from dead themselves and Albin skimmed Lennon, delivered a beautiful cross into the area and Cavani slotted the ball home exquisitely. Suddenly we had a game on our hands. From the restart, Fletcher sent Meechan racing through on goal, but his effort was saved by Viera in the Uruguay goal - only to fall at the feet of a grateful Rab Sinclair and Scotland were three one up with only twenty one minutes gone.

There was further pain for Uruguay as, ten minutes from half time, Gargano head butted Fletcher and the referee had no hesitation in sending the South Anerican side's midfielder from the field of play. The sending off seemed to affect the whole rythym of the match, and although Scotland were in control, it was Uruguay who scored the last goal of the day when Jorge Fucile gave them an late consolation with five minutes to play. There followed a few late scares for Scotland, with memories of the capitulation in Macedonia surfacing, but in the end MacLeod's side held on for a vital win, and Scotland were on track for success.

shannon2007

Whilst the match against Uruguay had ended with a very narrow Scotland win, nevertheless MacLeod's side had shown that they were here to do business. Some of their play had been breathtaking and both Uruguayan goals had actually come from sublime moves by the South Americas who were certainly slouches when it came to raw talent. Morocco, who had scored an opening game win over Denmark by that same three two scoreline, would pose a subtely different challenge from the Uruguayans but it was one the manager was more than confident his side could overcome.

The only change from the opening match for the Scots was that Alan Hutton would slot back into the right back role after his suspension. Marc Lennon had done a good enough job against the Uruguayans, but MacLeod felt Hutton was still his best choice in that position and this was no time for being overly sentimental. Or perhaps it was, but either way Hutton was back in the side.

Scotland did have the ball in the back of the net after just twelve minutes after Meechan chipped into the area for Sinclair to head home. The referee though decided that there had been an infringement, although no-one else saw anything at wrong. There was just that tiny feeling in the air that this might be one of those games, and when Murray sent the ball over when it was easier to score just minutes later, that feeling was starting to grow.

It was all Scotland though as Sinclair put a header just wide and then Neil Murray forced the Moroccan keeper into a finger tip save from a great free kick. It seemed like only a matter of time before Scotland finally scored for real, and when it did come it was the simplest of tap in for Sinclair after a dreadful error in the Moroccan defence. Half an hour gone, and the pressure was eased, and just a few minutes later Maloney floated in a corner, MacKay rose above the defence and Scotland were two ahead and coasting now to what would surely be the victory that sent them to the knockout stages.

Morocco were shaken now and just five minutes later Darren Fletcher pounced on a lose ball outside the area and with acres of space to manouevre, thundered the ball into the net and any lingering doubts were finally dispelled. As the Scots fans started to head for their half time paella and bovril, so in the dying seconds of the half Maloney sent over another corner, MacKay was there again and Scotland were taking the pish now.

The second half was a much more relaxed affair. The match was won for Scotland and they were through, whilst the Moroccans knew they were beaten and were saving themselves for the crunch match against uruguay. Fifteen minutes from time, Maloney finally gave Scotland a fifth goal just to emphasis the point and that was that.

The final group match for Scotland was largely without much meaning - for the Scots. The Danes, having beaten Uruguay 3-0, now needed a win but in a hard fought match they just could not penetrate the Scots defence and two minutes from time Shaun Maloney sent the Danes out. Morocco managed a 1-1 final game draw with Uruguay to progress and they would face the USA in the last sixteen, whilst Scotland had a tough but highly winnable tie against Colombia.

The Tartan Army were starting to believe......